Mosul Unchained: Deep Breath of Freedom After Years Under Daesh Terror

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi raises the national flag on July 10 as he addresses forces from a small base on the edge of Mosul's Old City, where heavy clashes have been underway for days. Al-Abadi returned to Mosul Monday and declared victory against the Daesh in the northern city following nine months of grueling urban combat.

Smoke billows after airstrikes hit Islamic State positions on the edge of the Old City a day after Iraq's prime minister declared total victory in Mosul, Iraq, on July 11.

People celebrate after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over the militants in the de facto Iraqi capital of their self-declared caliphate in Mosul, Iraq.

Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, had been controlled by militants for three years.

People celebrate liberation of former Daesh key stronghold Mosul after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over the militants.

The operation aimed at retaking the city from Daesh was kicked off in October 2016 by the Iraqi troops backed by the US-led international coalition.

The eastern part of the city was liberated in January.

Iraqi girls walk back from school in west Mosul on July 12 after the government declared it had driven the Daesh jihadists from their one-time top stronghold.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi congratulated "the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people on the achievement of the major victory over darkness, a victory over brutality and terrorism."

People celebrate after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over the militants in the de facto Iraqi capital of their self-declared caliphate in Mosul, Iraq.

Members of the Iraqi Federal Police Forces celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on July 10 after the government's announcement of the liberation of the embattled city from the Daesh group fighters.

People celebrate the liberation of Daesh’s former key stronghold Mosul.