Sudani marks eighth Victory Day anniversary, honors sacrifices in war against ISIS

BAGHDAD – Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Wednesday marked the eighth anniversary of Iraq’s Victory Day, paying tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of Iraqis in the fight against the Islamic State group.

Iraq officially declared victory over ISIS in December 2017 after years of military operations to reclaim territory seized by the group.

In a post on his official X account, Al-Sudani said: “On the eighth anniversary of Victory Day, we draw inspiration from the heroic acts and profound sacrifices made by Iraqis as they fought one of the noblest and most honorable battles in defense of their homeland against the terrorist ISIS organization.”

He said the unity of Iraqis across all communities, under the guidance of the religious authority’s fatwa, helped secure what he described as a “decisive and enduring victory.”

Al-Sudani also honored those killed during the conflict, writing: “May Allah grant His mercy and forgiveness upon the martyrs of Iraq from both the security forces and the civilian population, and may eternal shame fall upon the criminal terrorists.”

ISIS is a militant jihadist organization that defines itself as a transnational Salafi-jihadist movement and, for a time, sought to establish a so-called Islamic State governed under its strict interpretation of Sharia law.

At its height, particularly between 2014 and 2017, ISIS controlled large areas of territory in Iraq and Syria. In June 2014, the group declared the establishment of a “caliphate,” with its leader proclaiming himself “caliph.”

ISIS carried out widespread and systematic violence against civilians, including mass killings, public executions, rape, enslavement and forced conversions, acts that have been documented as war crimes, crimes against humanity and, in some cases, genocide.