1st LD: Trump claims liberation of all IS-controlled territory in Syria, Iraq

WASHINGTON, March 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Saturday the "liberation" of all territory controlled by the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq, while vowing to remain vigilant until "it is finally defeated."

Trump said in a statement that the United States, together with its partners in Global Coalition to Defeat IS, has liberated "100 Percent" of "the caliphate."

"We will remain vigilant against ISIS by aligning global counterterrorism efforts to fight ISIS until it is finally defeated wherever it operates," the president added. Enditem