IS Defeat in Mosul Victory Over Terrorism

Major General Qasem Soleimani on Monday hailed the defeat of the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group in Mosul as a major victory in the battle against terrorism. "Today, humanity owes a great deal to the Iraqi and Syrian nations for their victories in the campaign against terrorism," he was quoted as saying by Press TV. The commander of Qods Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said IS is one of the most dangerous scourges the world has ever faced. "The dark and evil phenomenon called Daesh [another name of IS] has caused the world of Islam great damage," he said. Soleimani praised the volunteer fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units for their hard work in expelling IS from Mosul. Soleimani was speaking at a ceremony to commemorate IRGC's fallen General Shaban Nassiri, who was killed in a recent advisory operation in western Mosul. Earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi formally declared victory of the country's forces over the IS terrorists one day after Iraqi armed forces took full control of the northern city.