BAGHOUZ – The Islamic State group lost its remaining plot of territory in Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces said on Saturday, marking total victory after a gruelling multi-year offensive to bring an end to the terrirtorial presence of the so-called caliphate.
A spokesperson confirmed to international media the “100 percent territorial defeat” of IS, a militant group that, at its height, controlled some 88,000 sq k.m. across both Syria and Iraq.
Though yellow flags were flown in celebration by the Kurdish-dominated SDF, the militant jihadist group still poses a regional and international threat of attack and have claimed responsibility for acts of terror worldwide.
The SDF has been fighting Islamic State since it took swathes of territory in 2014 in a meteroric rise of power amidst a devasting civil war in Syria and security lapses in Iraq.
SDF media chief Mustafa Bali announced the win via Twitter, saying that “we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible”.
Syrian Democratic Forces declare total elimination of so-called caliphate and %100 territorial defeat of ISIS. On this unique day, we commemorate thousands of martyrs whose efforts made the victory possible. #SDFDefeatedISIS
— Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) March 23, 2019
U.S. President Donald Trump gave a statement later on Saturday, saying that so-called Islamic State “are losers and will always be losers.”
JUST IN: U.S. President Trump issues statement on the territorial defeat of so-called Islamic State, saying ‘they are losers and will always be losers’
LATEST: https://t.co/lkTgfa629K pic.twitter.com/u3pJvqOoFc
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 23, 2019
The SDF is backed by the United States, France and other Western allies. Throughout the war on Islamic State, the SDF has acted as the principal ground force against the militants and includes several foreign troops.
Other countries, such as Canada, have been backers of the U.S.-led Inherent Resolve, the overall operation to rid the region of Islamic State. Canada, the Netherlands and others have been previously active in supporting, training and more frontline military roles.
(c)Breaking911 – Eli Ridder
