2016 end of IS, says Iraqi PM

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – Prime Minister of Iraq, Haidar Abadi, on Monday declared that the city of Ramadi is liberated from the Islamic State (IS) and congratulated the Iraqi people.

Following the liberation of Ramadi in Anbar Province by Iraqi security forces and Shia militia group, Hashd al-Shaabi, Prime Minister Abadi released a statement, congratulating the people of Iraq.

"What was promised has been fulfilled, and Daesh [IS] has been defeated in Ramadi. Ramadi has returned to the bosom of Iraq, and every Iraqi city will return to the great nation," he said.

The statement continued, "We assure you [Iraqis] and the whole world that were we not careful of the safety of families besieged in Ramadi we would have completed the liberation long before this time." He additionally said, "...but Daesh terrorist [IS] criminal gangs booby-trapped schools, mosques, hospitals, streets and everything to impede the arrival of the patriotic and the brave, and despite that they still failed and evil was defeated after the killing of hundreds of criminal terrorists."

Abadi noted that if 2015 was the year of liberation, then "2016 would be the year of the victory." He hoped that 2016 will be the end of IS in Iraq and all Mesopotamia.

He also mentioned that combatting IS is a sacred duty, "Iraqis are proud that they are the first who confronted them and the first who sacrificed their blood in defense of the homeland and the holy places, and to avenge those who Daesh [IS] expropriated their land and their homes and their women and children."

In another part of his statement, he emphasized the role of all Iraqi forces and stated, "Iraqis of different backgrounds and nationalities, religions, and sects, with their army, security forces, popular mobilization [Hashd al-Shaabi], Special Forces and the Peshmerga are the makers of these victories, and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and the wounded are the crown of this victory and each victory in the past, present and future."

Concluding, he mentioned the next step of the Iraqi forces in advancing against the jihadists, stating, "We say with complete confidence we are coming to liberate Mosul, to strike the final blow for Daesh [IS], with the unity and resolve of this great nation and its brave sons."

In June 2014, IS began occupying massive territory in Nineveh Provincein northern Iraq. Later, they expanded to other provinces such as Salahaddin, Diyala, and Anbar. In recent months, Kurdish Peshmerga forces and other Iraqi forces in coordination with the US-led coalition and its airstrikes have been advancing against IS and liberating several different areas throughout the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in general from IS extremists.