On Saturday, the Deir ez-Zor Military Council, affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), held a ceremony celebrating the fifth anniversary of the liberation of Baghouz town and the territorial defeat of the ISIS terrorist organization and its so-called caliphate.

The ceremony took place at the Al-Omar military base in Deir ez-Zor, in the presence of members of SDF General Command, the command of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, a delegation from the International Coalition Forces, dignitaries, tribal leaders, and the local populace.

The ceremony began with a minute of silence for the souls of the martyrs. The forces of Deir ez-Zor Military Council then performed a military parade, followed by several speeches, including by Luqman Khalil, a member of the SDF General Command. Khalil emphasized the importance of liberating Baghouz from ISIS, explaining that by liberating the area, their forces rid the entire world of ISIS terrorism.

Khalil highlighted the pivotal role of SDF martyrs in liberating the region from the terrorist organization. He emphasized their sacrifice for restoring peace and security, noting the historic resilience of SDF fighters and the people of Deir ez-Zor. Despite numerous countries and well-equipped armies failing to confront ISIS, the SDF’s victory stemmed from their steadfastness and adherence to the noble values upheld by martyrs and the populace, he said.

Khalil noted that thousands from Deir ez-Zor joined the SDF ranks as a testament to their allegiance to the martyrs. In his address, Commander Khalil elaborated on how the unity of the region’s populace, encompassing its tribes and all societal segments, thwarted all schemes devised by entities opposed to the perpetuation of security and stability in our territories. Foremost among these adversaries are the Turkish occupation state, the Syrian regime, and its allies, he added.

During the ceremony, representatives from the YPJ (Women’s Defense Units) leadership, the Deir ez-Zor Civil Council, the Deir ez-Zor Martyrs’ Families Council, and tribal leaders in the region delivered speeches. The speeches centered on the pivotal role played by the Syrian Democratic Forces in liberating their territories from the terrorist organization. They expressed gratitude towards the SDF leadership and fighters for their significant sacrifices in the battles and campaigns against terrorism. Additionally, the speakers urged the people of Deir ez-Zor to join the ranks of the Syrian Democratic Forces, highlighting the esteemed stance of the local populace against the onslaughts perpetrated by the Turkish occupation state and the Syrian regime across north and eastern Syria.