The demonstrators in a statement hailed the religious leadership of the country as well as the armed forces and the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units) for their role in the victory over the terrorist group.

In a speech on the occasion, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Hashd al-Shaabi, also underlined the major role of the religious leadership in the defeat of Daesh, including a Fatwa (religious edict) issued by grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani that mobilized Iraqis to fight the terrorists.

Former prime minister Haider al Abadi declared Daesh defeated in Iraq on December 9, 2017.

The group had ruled over a self-styled caliphate since 2014, governing large parts of northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

https://iqna.ir/fa/news/3863270