Iraq Held Military Parade to Celebrate Victory Over ISIS

The Iraqi armed forces held a military parade in Baghdad on Sunday to celebrate the victory announced by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi over the Islamic State group

Iraq Held Military Parade to Celebrate Victory Over ISIS

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi salutes security forces during the military parade (Photo: AP)

Iraq celebrated its victory over the Islamic State with a military parade on Sunday in the capital city of Baghdad, a day after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the successful ouster of the jihadist group from the country.

Witnesses say Iraqi army units marched across the main square in central Baghdad as helicopters and fighter jets flew overhead, according to VOA News.

Writing on Twitter, Prime Minister Abadi thanked Iraqi forces "for their service" and remembered "those who gave the ultimate sacrifice."

According to Eye Witness News, Iraqi forces recaptured the last areas still under Islamic State control along the border with Syria on Saturday and secured the western desert, marking the end of the war against the militants three years after they had captured about a third of Iraq’s territory.

"Our forces are in complete control of the Iraqi-Syrian border, and I, therefore, announce the end of the war against Daesh," Abadi said at a conference. The announcement came two days after Russia said it had defeated ISIS in Syria, where Moscow is supporting the Syrian military.