Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. (File | AP) 
World

Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi declares 'end of war against IS' in Iraq

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Saturday announced the end of a three-year war by Iraqi forces to drive the Islamic State jihadist group out of the country.

From our online archive

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Saturday announced the end of a three-year war by Iraqi forces to drive the Islamic State jihadist group out of the country.

"Our forces are in complete control of the Iraqi-Syrian border and I, therefore, announce the end of the war against Daesh (IS)," Abadi told a conference in Baghdad.

"Our enemy wanted to kill our civilisation, but we have won through our unity and our determination. We have triumphed in little time," he said.

IS seized vast areas north and west of Baghdad in a lightning offensive in 2014, endangering the very existence of the Iraqi state.

Iraq's fightback was launched with the backing of an air campaign waged by a US-led coalition, recapturing town after town from the clutches of the jihadists.

"I announce the good news: the liberation by Iraqi forces of the whole of the Iraqi-Syrian border," the prime minister told the conference organised by the Iraqi journalists' union.

BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of objecting to full Vande Mataram rendition; Congress denies charge

Restoring J&K's special status, statehood essential to strengthen federalism: CM Omar Abdullah

PM Modi backs women’s quota, announces youth initiatives in Independence Day address

Mahua Moitra writes to LS Speaker over house eviction order, seeks safety and dignity for women MPs

BJP-RSS spreading hatred and dividing people, Congress opening ‘mohabbat ki dukaan’: AICC president Kharge

SCROLL FOR NEXT