Iraq holds military parade celebrating victory over Islamic State

An Iraqi military parade in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone celebrated final victory over Islamic State yesterday, with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi looking on as troops marched in formation, their bodies spelling victory day in Arabic. 

Abadi, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, listened solemnly to Quranic verses from a chapter titled al-Nasr, meaning victory. 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.

The forces fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria now expect a new phase of guerrilla warfare.Abadi declared Dec. 10 would be an annual national holiday. Meanwhile, World leaders have congratulated Iraq today following the prime minister's declaration of victory over the Islamic State group. Saudi Arabia says the achievement is a big victory against terrorism in the region and the United Kingdom applauded Iraq's security forces for their courage and sacrifice.