Iraqi PM hails popular forces, calls for national unity after Daesh fall

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has commended the role of the country’s Popular Mobilization Units in defeating the Daesh terrorist group and called for unity among the Iraqi nation after the collapse of the Takfiri extremists.

In a televised address on Saturday, Abadi declared the full liberation of the country from Daesh terrorists after Iraqi forces recaptured all the areas once seized by the terror group.

"Honorable Iraqis: your land has been completely liberated. The dream of liberation is now a reality," he said.

“We have accomplished a very difficult mission. Our heroes have reached the final strongholds of Daesh and purified it,” he added.

Abadi stressed that unity was the main reason behind the victory, a reference to the contribution of different communities of the Arab country in the anti-Dash campaign.

"The joy of victory is complete with Iraq's unity after it was on the verge of division. The unity of Iraq and its people is the most important and greatest accomplishment," he said.

Abadi added that Iraq had entered "the post-victory over Daesh phase" and must be prepared for any future threats.

"Daesh's dream is over and we must erase all its effect and not allow terrorism to return. Despite announcing final victory, we must remain vigilant and prepared against any terrorist attempt on our country, for terrorism is an eternal enemy," he said.

The Iraqi prime minister further praised the country’s Popular Mobilization Units, also known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, and Iraq's top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for his contribution to the fight against Daesh terrorists.

In June 2014, shortly after Daesh unleashed its terror campaign in Iraq, Ayatollah Sistani issued a fatwa calling on all Iraqi citizens to defend their country.

The fatwa helped Shia fighters, Sunni tribesmen as well as Christian and Izadi volunteers gather under one umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Units, commonly known as Hashd al-Sha’abi, to prevent Daesh’s advances.

Abadi also said that “Iraqi flag flies high today over all Iraqi lands.”

Following Abadi’s remarks, his office declared a public holiday Sunday in celebration of the victory, according to an official statement from the prime minister’s office.

Several squadrons of Iraqi helicopters flew over the capital Baghdad carrying Iraqi flags at noon, in an apparent rehearsal for a victory parade that Iraq is planning to hold in coming days.

The Iraqi government said the declaration meant Iraqi forces had secured the western desert and the entire Iraq-Syria border, and marked the end of the war against Daesh.

Daesh began a terror campaign in Iraq more than three years ago, overrunning vast swathes. Iraqi forces then launched operations to eliminate Daesh and retake lost territory, and last month, Iraqi forces liberated Rawah, the last remaining town in the grip of the terror outfit.

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