• Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi

Iraqis commemorated Mosul's fourth liberation anniversary from ISIS militants, who had annexed Mosul as the capital of the terrorist organization's alleged state in 2014.

In a statement on the fourth anniversary of the liberation of the city of Mosul, the Iraqi Prime Minister saluted the Iraqi people who accomplished "a heroic epic" that represents the connection of blood to the land and stressed that Iraq's unity is its safety valve and that the cohesion of Iraqis of all sects and ethnicities is the way to reach the country's prosperity and stability.

The Prime Minister continued by saying that the battle of Mosul "tipped all the scales at the local, regional, and international levels after 'ISIS' terrorist gangs desecrated Iraq's lands; the Kharijites of our time managed to attack its people and commit various brutal crimes against our children. It was a heroic and honorable stance for our security forces in all their forms."

He said that their sacrifices were "great," and victory was achieved "through their valor, heroism and the honorable stance of the Iraqi people from north to south, reinforced by the blessed fatwa of the wise Marja', [Sayed Ali Al-Sistani,] which aroused the national and community spirit in protecting the homeland."

Al-Kadhimi stressed the "keenness" of his government "not to repeat the mistakes of the past and the serious repercussions they caused, for which the Iraqi people paid the price in blood; to stand against terrorism, pursue its remnants, dry up its sources; to strengthen the capabilities of the security forces and reorganize them institutionally, following professional considerations and well-studied military plans in cooperation with our friends and allies."

The Prime Minister indicated that his government "paid great attention to the displaced, and developed a program to return them to their regions, providing the appropriate conditions for their stability and reintegration into their indigenous societies."

Al-Kadhimi concluded his statement by saluting "the martyrs of Iraq, whose brave blood drenched the land of Mosul, and a greeting of gratitude to all the wounded who bore the medal of honor of defending Iraq."