United States President Donald Trump has praised the heroism of the Iraqi and American soldiers following the defeat of ISIS in the war-torn city of Mosul.
Trump spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Tuesday and congratulated him on the liberation of Mosul by Iraqi Security Forces, which marks a major milestone in the fight against ISIS.
"The President (Trump) praised the heroism of the Iraqi and American soldiers and underscored his commitment to the total defeat of ISIS," the White House said in a statement.
Trump stressed on the need to consolidate gains to prevent ISIS or any other terrorist group from returning to liberated areas.
Earlier he said that Iraq's victory over ISIS in Mosul signals that the days of the terror outfit in the region are nearly over. "The victory in Mosul, a city where ISIS once proclaimed its so-called "caliphate," signals that its days in Iraq and Syria are numbered."
"The victory in Mosul, a city where ISIS once proclaimed its so-called "caliphate," signals that its days in Iraq and Syria are numbered," Trump said.
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Hailing the Iraqi Security Forces, supported by the United States and the Global Coalition for liberating Mosul from the rule of ISIS, Trump said tremendous progress has been made against the terror group in the past six months it became a major threat.
"We mourn the thousands of Iraqis brutally killed by ISIS and the millions of Iraqis who suffered at the hands of ISIS," he said.
"We grieve with the Iraqi people for the loss of the heroic soldiers and Peshmerga who gave their lives to restore life to their country, and we honor their sacrifice," he added.
Trump further said that the United States and the Global Coalition were proud to stand with the Iraqi Security Forces and all those who made this liberation possible.
Echoing similar sentiments, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson termed Iraq's victory in Mosul as a critical milestone in the global fight against ISIS.
He said it underscores the success of the international effort led by the Iraqi Security Forces.
"Under Iraqi leadership, the United States and our Coalition partners will continue to work closely with the UN to stabilize liberated areas throughout Mosul, supporting the return of displaced civilians to their homes," he said.
Tillerson noted that there is still much work to be done to defeat ISIS and assured that the Global Coalition will continue to stand with Iraqi partners to ensure the defeat of ISIS wherever it remains in Iraq.
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday announced that Mosul has been completely liberated from the ISIS terrorist group. "From here, from the heart of the liberated and free Mosul, by the sacrifices of the Iraqis from all the provinces, we declare the great victory for all of Iraq and Iraqis," CNN quoted al-Abadi as saying.
Iraq's national flag was planted on the banks of the Tigris River in Mosul's Old City by the security forces to declare their victory.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister al-Abadi arrived in Mosul to declare victory over the ISIS.
According to reports, about 1,000 ISIS terrorists were killed in more than two months of fighting in Mosul's Old City.
The ISIS had captured Mosul in 2014 along vast swathes of territory in northern and western Iraq.