In Pictures: Celebrations in Mosul after Iraq declares victory over ISIS

MOSUL - Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday (July 10) visited Mosul to congratulate Iraqi forces on their "victory" over ISIS militants in the city. Iraqi forces, backed by US-led air strikes, have been battling to retake Mosul since Oct 17 last year, after extremists from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria seized the city in June 2014.

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Jul 10, 2017, 09:23 AM

Iraqis celebrating the liberation of the embattled city of Mosul on Sunday (July 9), after it was seized by ISIS militants in June 2014. PHOTO: REUTERS

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (centre) congratulating military commanders in the al-Tayaran neighbourhood of Mosul on Sunday after the government announced the "liberation" of the city from ISIS. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

An Iraqi girl getting a kiss from a member of the federal police as forces celebrate in the Old City of Mosul after dealing the biggest defeat yet to ISIS. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Excited children with Iraq's national flag cheer as they join government forces in celebrating the liberation of the Old City of Mosul. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Mosul residents taking to the streets on Sunday (July 9) to celebrate the liberation of their embattled city. The government's victory in Mosul sparked joyful celebrations across Iraq on Sunday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Iraqi federal police in a jubilant mood. Victory over the ISIS terrorists in Mosul is both a strategic and symbolic milestone for Iraqi fighters, backed by US-led coalition forces. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Iraqis in the capital Baghdad cheering the liberation of Mosul from ISIS militants after months of hard and bitter fighting. PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

Iraqi federal police rejoicing in the defeat of ISIS militants in Mosul. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Mosul's Old City lies in ruins after months of battle to retake it from ISIS extremists. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shi'ite militiamen have also been involved in the gruelling battle to drive ISIS out of the Iraqi city. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Even as Iraqis celebrate the defeat of ISIS in Mosul, it does not mean the end of the terrorists in the country. The group still has territory elsewhere in Iraq and is able to carry out bombings in government-held areas. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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