Iraq Victory Day - December 10, 2026

Iraq Victory Day falls throughout the Republic of Iraq every December 10 as a national holiday of profound gratitude and hard-won pride. On this date in 2017, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi stood before the nation to announce the complete liberation of Iraqi soil from the Islamic State (ISIS), ending a brutal three-and-a-half-year occupation that had seized a third of the country and subjected millions to unimaginable terror.

Iraq Victory Day History

The Islamic State traces its dark lineage to the chaos following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, emerging from the ashes of al-Qaeda in Iraq under the ruthless leadership of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Weakened by the 2007 U.S. troop surge, the group retreated into the shadows only to resurge with terrifying speed after the Syrian civil war began in 2011, exploiting power vacuums on both sides of the border.

In June 2014, ISIS shocked the world by capturing Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, in mere days. Weeks later, its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a so-called caliphate from the pulpit of Mosul’s Great Mosque, controlling territory the size of Britain and imposing medieval-style rule on eight million people. Cities fell like dominoes: Tikrit, Fallujah, Ramadi. Ancient Christian and Yazidi communities faced genocide; women were enslaved, boys conscripted, and cultural heritage obliterated.

The fightback was long and costly. Coalition airstrikes (over 8,000 by the U.S. alone), Iranian-backed militias, Kurdish Peshmerga, and above all the rebuilt Iraqi army gradually reversed the tide. Ramadi was retaken in 2015, Fallujah in 2016, and Mosul liberated after a grueling nine-month battle in 2017 that reduced much of the old city to rubble. Raqqa fell months later in Syria. By December 9, 2017, the last ISIS pockets along the Euphrates were crushed, prompting al-Abadi’s historic victory declaration and the establishment of December 10 as Iraq Victory Day.

Today, while ISIS cells remain a threat, the caliphate is destroyed and 95 percent of once-occupied territory reclaimed. The victory cost over 30,000 Iraqi security forces killed and countless civilians lost, but it proved that unity and determination can defeat even the most fanatical evil.

Why Iraq Victory Day Matters

Honoring Sacrifice and National Resilience

This day ensures the blood spilled in Mosul’s alleys, the tears of displaced families in camps, and the courage of young soldiers who never came home are never forgotten. It transforms personal grief into collective strength, reminding every Iraqi that freedom was paid for in full.

Renewing Courage for Ongoing Vigilance

Though the black flag no longer flies over cities, the ideology lingers. Celebrating victory fuels the morale of counter-terrorism units still hunting sleeper cells and inspires civilians to report suspicious activity, proving the fight continues but so does the will to win.

Celebrating Heroes Who Restored Dignity

From teenage volunteers who joined the Popular Mobilization Forces to grandmothers who hid neighbors from death squads, Iraq Victory Day spotlights ordinary people who became extraordinary defenders of their nation and its diversity.

Iraq Victory Day Activities

Participate in Official Commemorations and Parades

Join the massive annual rallies in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square and provincial capitals, where military bands march, fighter jets roar overhead, and families wave flags while honoring martyrs with flowers and candles at memorials.

Deepen Understanding Through Books and Documentaries

Read “The ISIS Apocalypse,” “Mosul: Australia’s Secret War,” or watch “Mosul” (2019) and “Once Upon a Time in Iraq” to grasp the human stories behind the headlines and the true scale of what was overcome.

Share Gratitude with Veterans and First Responders

Visit wounded warriors in hospitals, donate to organizations supporting martyrs’ families, or simply thank a soldier or police officer in uniform, small gestures that mean everything to those who risked all.

Facts About Iraq Victory Day

Costliest Urban Battle

The nine-month fight for Mosul (October 2016–July 2017) ranks among the deadliest urban battles since World War II.

International Coalition Size

Over 80 countries contributed to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, providing everything from airstrikes to training.

Yazidi Genocide Recognition

The United Nations officially recognized ISIS crimes against Yazidis as genocide in 2016.

Last Stronghold Liberated

Al-Qa’im, the final Iraqi town held by ISIS, fell on November 3, 2017, paving the way for total victory.

Annual Military Parade

Every December 10 since 2018, Iraq holds a grand parade showcasing rebuilt armed forces and captured ISIS equipment.

Iraq Victory Day Dates