Conflict in the Middle East feels like it has been rumbling on for an eternity, and with the rise of the Islamic State, it seemed like it wasn't going to end anytime soon. However, there has been some vital victories in recent months and ISIS' grip on the Middle East seems to be lessening by the day. Such is the progress that has been made, The president of Iran has declared the end of the Islamic State.
Speaking live on TV, Hassan Rouhani sat alongside a high-ranking official from the Iranian military when he made the announcement. President Rouhani said:
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"Today with God’s guidance and the resistance of people in the region we can say that this evil has either been lifted from the head of the people or has been reduced.
"Of course, the remnants will continue but the foundation and roots have been destroyed."
Major General Qassem Soleimani, the Senior commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, echoed this notion, claiming that end of ISIS came after a series of successful military operations against the extremist group.
Over the last few weeks, Soleimani and his men have carried out several attacks in locations across the region in order to the reduce the influence of IS. Soleimani announced that the last territory held by IS in Syria, Albu Kamal, has now fallen back into state control.
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There has been a recent and concerted effort across the likes of Syria, Iran and Iraq to battle IS control in the area and many people could sense victory once the Iraqi border town of Rawa, where IS was established in 2014, was captured.
While the caliphate is undoubtedly fighting a losing battle, it's expected that they will now go underground and begin using guerrilla tactics in its warfare.
During his speech, Rouhani accused both the US and Israel of showing complicit support to IS and criticized Arab nations for their silence over the ongoing Yemen crisis which has seen many civilians die. The President is now expected to meet with the presidents of Turkey and Russia to help speed up the peace process in Syria and beyond. The meeting will be the first between the three nations since the turmoil began in the region, killing 330,000 people and leaving millions without homes.
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Speaking to the press, a Russian political analyst said:
"The open-war phase in Syria will soon be over and the question of a political solution will become more pressing than before. Russia, Iran and Turkey each have their own interest in Syria.
"It is clear that they also have disagreements. And they are meeting to try to smooth over these disagreements."
Despite agreeing to meet, Turkey is officially on the opposing side to Iran and Russia, who support President Bashar al-Assad in the ongoing conflict.
While ISIS isn't officially defeated, as a militant group doesn't require a set territory to operate, there is no doubt that they are losing ground, and support for their cause. For now, though, the world's eyes will be on the upcoming discussions between the three presidents, as we wait to see when there will be an end to the violence.
