The Iraqi Prime Minister announces the end of the international coalition’s mission against ISIS

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi announced on Wednesday that the mission of the international coalition forces to fight ISIS in Iraq had officially ended.

Al-Zaidi said, at an official ceremony in the capital, Baghdad: “We announce the end of the mission of the international coalition to fight ISIS, to prove that cooperation between friendly forces and friendly peoples has resulted in a victory over one of the darkest pages of extremism and brutality in history.”

He added: "Today, Iraq is reaping the fruits of great sacrifices and heroic efforts that extended over years, until our various types of security services extended their control over the security and field scene throughout all parts of Iraq."

He continued: "We extend our thanks and appreciation to all the friendly countries that participated in the international coalition, and to its leaders, officers, trainers, and advisors who worked alongside our security forces."

Al-Zaidi said, "The end of the international coalition's mission does not mean the end of our battle with terrorism, but rather it means Iraq's transition to a stage in which it assumes full responsibility for its security and stability."

The Iraqi Prime Minister stressed that "there is no weapon outside the umbrella of the law, and no force outside state institutions, in accordance with what the constitution requires and in accordance with what our rational authority calls for and what our people want."

The international coalition against ISIS was formed in September 2014, after the organization invaded vast areas of Iraq, and the war extended until December 2017.