Mosul entirely liberated from ISIS: Iraq PM

Mosul [Iraq], July 11 (ANI): Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced that the war-torn city of Mosul has been completely liberated from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group.

"From here, from the heart of the liberated and free Mosul, by the sacrifices of the Iraqis from all the provinces, we declare the great victory for all of Iraq and Iraqis," CNN quoted al-Abadi as saying.

The Iraqi Prime Minister lauded the security forces by terming the victory over ISIS as a great celebration that crowned the victories of the fighters and the Iraqis over the last three years.

He said Mosul was retaken after more than three years of ISIS rule by the national forces backed by a US-led coalition.

Iraq's national flag was planted on the banks of the Tigris River in Mosul's Old City by the security forces forces to declare their victory.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister al-Abadi arrived in Mosul to declare victory over the ISIS.

According to reports, about 1,000 ISIS terrorists were killed in more than two months of fighting in Mosul's Old City.

The ISIS had captured Mosul in 2014 along vast swathes of territory in northern and western Iraq. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI