Iran’s General Soleimani Proclaims Daesh Fall


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Senior Iranian commander Major General Qassem Soleimani announced on Tuesday that the self-proclaimed caliphate of Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group has formally collapsed in Islamic territories after recapture of its last stronghold in Syria’s Albu Kamal.

In a message to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday morning, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force Major General Soleimani declared that the notorious group’s rule has come to an end with the accomplishment of a mission to liberate Syria’s eastern city of Albu Kamal, near the Iraqi border.

Speaking on behalf of all commanders and forces fighting against terrorism, thousands of Iranian, Iraqi, Syrian, Lebanese, Afghan, and Pakistani martyrs and those handicapped in defending the life and dignity of Muslims and their sanctities, the top general congratulated Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian nation, the people of Iraq and Syria, and all Muslims on the fall of Daesh.

General Soleimani also hailed the victory as a result of favor of God, wise leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, smart guidance offered by top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Seyed Ali al-Sistani, the fortitude shown by the Iraqi and Syrian governments, the great efforts made by the Armies and young forces of those two countries -particularly by Hashd al-Shaabi-, the mighty and influential presence of Hezbollah, and the measures taken by the Iranian president, parliament, Defense Ministry, military and security forces.

Enumerating the heinous crimes Daesh has committed in Syria and Iraq, General Soleimani said initial reports estimate that the damage caused by the terrorist group is at least $500 billion.

More than 6,000 deceived young members of Daesh carried out suicide attacks with explosive-laden vehicles on various places, including mosques and hospitals, killing tens of thousands of innocent people, the general added, denouncing Daesh as result of a seditious plot by the US and Israel.

As declared by the US president himself, all criminal activities by Daesh have been masterminded and executed with the help of the leaders and organizations connected with the US, General Soleimani added, adding that the US statesmen are still doing so in the region.

On November 19, Daesh terrorists were flushed out of their last stronghold in Syria’s Albu Kamal. Liberation of the city marked an end to the group’s self-proclaimed caliphate it had declared in 2014.

Daesh militants made swift advances in northern and western Iraq over the summer of 2014, after capturing large areas of Syria.

But the timely support by Iran helped Syria and Iraq fight off Daesh. In addition, formation of military units by volunteers in Iraq, known as Hashd al-Shaabi or Popular Mobilization Units, blunted the edge of Daesh offensive and later made the terror group withdraw from much of the territories it had occupied.