The holiday marks the end of a devastating three-year war that saw Iraqi forces, supported by international allies, reclaim territory once held by the extremist group. Across Iraq, the day is observed with military parades, official ceremonies, and public gatherings honouring the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians who fought for the country’s liberation. Government buildings, streets, and homes are adorned with national flags, and prayers are held in remembrance of the fallen. Victory Day stands as both a moment of pride and reflection — a symbol of Iraq’s resilience, unity, and determination to rebuild after one of the most challenging periods in its modern history.
The path to victory was hard-won. In 2014, ISIS launched a massive offensive across Iraq, seizing nearly a third of the country, including Mosul — Iraq’s second-largest city — and large areas in Anbar, Salahuddin, and Nineveh provinces. The occupation brought immense suffering, with mass executions, destruction of heritage sites, and the displacement of millions. The Iraqi government, under Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, mobilised its security forces alongside the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMUs), Kurdish Peshmerga, and local militias to reclaim the occupied regions.
The campaign, supported by a US-led international coalition and aided by logistical and intelligence support from Russia and other nations, was marked by intense urban warfare and heavy civilian tolls. Major battles in Tikrit, Fallujah, and finally Mosul — liberated in July 2017 — gradually broke ISIS’s control. On 9 December 2017, Prime Minister Abadi officially declared victory after Iraqi forces cleared the last pockets of resistance along the Syrian border.
The following day, 10 December, was proclaimed a national holiday — Victory Day — to be observed annually in recognition of the bravery and sacrifices of Iraq’s armed forces and people. Though ISIS remnants continue sporadic insurgent attacks, the declaration marked the end of their territorial rule in Iraq.
Today, Victory Day embodies both remembrance and hope. It honours those who gave their lives to protect Iraq’s sovereignty and reminds citizens of the collective strength that overcame division and despair. In a nation rebuilding from conflict, 10 December stands as a powerful symbol of endurance and national unity.
