Iraq Holds Victory Parade After Defeating Islamic State

Iraq Holds Victory Parade After Defeating Islamic State
An Iraqi helicopter carries an Iraqi flag during an Iraqi military parade in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, Iraq Dec. 10, 2017. Reuters/Stringer
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BAGHDAD—An Iraqi military parade in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone celebrated final victory over Islamic State on Sunday, with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi looking on as troops marched in formation, their bodies spelling “victory day” in Arabic.

Abadi, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, listened solemnly to Quranic verses from a chapter titled al-Nasr, meaning victory.