Iraq marks defeat of Daesh

Iraq yesterday celebrated the anniversary of its costly victory over Daesh, which has lost virtually all the territory it once held, but still carries out sporadic attacks.

The government declared victory last December after a gruelling three-year war in which tens of thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced.

The government declared yesterday a national holiday, and a moment of silence was planned for later in the day.

As part of the celebrations, authorities planned to reopen parts of Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone - home to key government offices and embassies - to the public.