Baghdad declares December 10 holiday to mark anniversary of ISIS defeat

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Cabinet approved a suspension of official duties for Wednesday, Dec. 10, to mark the eighth anniversary of the country’s declaration of victory over the Islamic State group.

In a statement Tuesday, the prime minister’s media office said the decision was taken to commemorate the defeat of what it described as the “criminal ISIS organization.”

Iraq first announced the group’s defeat on Dec. 10, 2017, after years of fighting that brought together Iraqi security forces, the Popular Mobilization Forces and the U.S.-led international coalition. The conflict displaced millions of people and left widespread destruction in cities including Mosul, Fallujah and Ramadi.

Despite the 2017 victory declaration, security forces continue to pursue ISIS remnants in rural and remote areas through periodic clearance and counterterrorism operations.