Security
How Daesh sacrificed Iraqi heritage for a self-serving caliphate
On the 12th anniversary of the fall of Mosul, Iraq remembers the brutal occupation that devastated local communities for terrorist gain.
![The entrance to Mosul International Airport on November 6, 2025, marking the first day of its official opening to domestic flights. The facility, located in northern Iraq, previously suffered major damage caused by Daesh. [Zaid al-Obaidi/AFP]](/gc1/images/2026/06/22/56666-mosul_isis_daesh-600_384.webp)
By Al-Fassel |
On June 10, 2026, the people of Iraq observed a deeply somber milestone in its modern history.
Citizens marked the 12th anniversary of the devastating fall of Mosul to the so-called Islamic State (Daesh).
This specific date recalls a brutal three-year occupation that brought horrific atrocities to innocent local communities.
The terrorist group routinely sacrificed Iraqi lives and rich cultural heritage to fuel a self-serving caliphate.
Their brutal reign clearly demonstrated that the militants acted entirely in their own violent political interests.
They systematically stripped the region of its vital resources at the absolute expense of the Iraqi people.
Many citizens still vividly recall the sheer terror and economic devastation inflicted upon their beloved home cities.
Rebuilding the nation after the defeat of Daesh
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi led the recent national commemorations to formally honor the victims of this dark chapter.
He proudly lauded the ultimate military defeat of Daesh as an "enduring national epic" for the entire country.
The prime minister publicly pledged to continue bolstering the operational capabilities of national security agencies.
He emphasized that these security improvements are strictly necessary to protect the hard-won peace across Iraq.
The historic occupation serves as a stark reminder of how extremist groups maliciously exploit vulnerable local populations.
Daesh militants deliberately destroyed ancient historical sites and looted valuable artifacts to fund their terror operations.
They ruthlessly displaced millions of innocent civilians to consolidate their illegitimate and oppressive grip on power.
The self-proclaimed caliphate prioritized arbitrary territorial expansion over the basic human rights and welfare of ordinary citizens.
A massive global coalition led by the US provided crucial support to Iraqi forces during the arduous liberation.
Today, local communities are working tirelessly alongside the government to rebuild their fractured neighborhoods and shattered economies.
International organizations continue to assist local authorities in restoring vital public infrastructure across the heavily damaged northern provinces.
This collaborative recovery effort highlights a unified rejection of the violent methods previously employed by the extremists.
Regional leaders constantly urge continuous vigilance to ensure that such self-serving extremist ideologies never take root again.
The enduring resilience of the Iraqi people stands in sharp contrast to the terrible destruction left behind.