Iraqi PM: Iraqi army fought an epic, historical battle against ISIS

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Jan 20:05

The Iraqi prime minister says that the Iraqi army forces are the protectors of the country.

The Iraqi prime minister attends the graduation ceremony of Iraqi officers in Baghdad.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said on Sunday that the war waged by the Iraqi forces against ISIS was a historical landmark, stressing that his government will implement a plan to develop the army "technologically and operationally."

The prime minister made his remarks in a graduation ceremony at the First Iraqi Military Academy at Rustamiyah in Baghdad, on the 102nd anniversary of the establishment of the Iraqi army.

According to his office, Al-Sudani praised the sacrifices of the Iraqi army and described them as the heroes, and the protectors of Iraq.

"This memory [anniversary] passes, and we are in the blessing of stability, which was achieved only with the precious blood that our army sacrificed along with all factions of our armed forces," he said.

“Our Iraqi army went through tough challenges that tried to break its will, and the dictatorship conspired against it and insulted its honorable history," the PM added, noting that the Iraqi Army "always chose to stand by the people and the righteous causes of the nation, defending the independence of the country and contributed to protecting the Arabic land from various threats."

Al-Sudani affirmed that "our army continued its march to secure full sovereignty, stand with the constitution, the democratic process, and build a new Iraq. Our armed forces and our valiant army, through victory over terrorism and the restoration of all of our land, fought and won a rare and historical battle."

رئيس مجلس الوزراء، القائد العام للقوات المسلحة @mohamedshia يحضر، اليوم الأحد، حفل تخرج طلبة الكلية العسكرية الأولى/ مصنع الأبطال الدورة 111، الذي أقيم في مقر الكلية بالرستمية. pic.twitter.com/LxYcrmHbnp
— المكتب الإعلامي لرئيس الوزراء 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) January 8, 2023

The new Iraq is a "message of peace and cooperation and partnership with all the good powers," he said, stressing that the dark chapter that wreaked havoc on Iraq and the region has been ended."

Al-Sudani revealed that his administration's program has prioritized importance, "raising the capabilities of our army, working on the technological and field development of combat weapons, and involving commanders, officers, and ranks in various courses that contribute to refining their skills and providing them with additional experience."

On December 10, In a speech during a celebration on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the declaration of victory over ISIS, Al-Sudani praised all the security agencies that contributed to the fight against the terrorist organization.

The Iraqi prime minister also recalled, "the steadfastness of the displaced, their distress after being forced out from their homes and the birthplace of their parents and grandparents, their homeland, which they have known for thousands of years."

It is noteworthy that Iraq announced in December 2017 the liberation of all its lands from the grip of the ISIS terrorist organization, after nearly 3 and a half years of fighting the terrorist group.