Aussie gov't "welcomes" territorial defeat of IS but warns threat continues

CANBERRA, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has welcomed The announcement by The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of The territorial defeat of ISlamic State (IS).

The U.S.-backed SDF announced on Saturday The defeat of ISlamic State (IS). SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali made The declaration after capturing The town of Baghouz, The last IS redoubt in eastern Syria, signalling The demISe of The militant group's self-declared caliphate.

Addressing The victory in a statement ISsued on Sunday night, Australian Prime MinISter Scott MorrISon, Foreign Affairs MinISter MarISe Payne and Defence MinISter ChrIStopher Pyne praISed The "tremendous courage and sacrifice" of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and SDF.

"Civilians in Syria and Iraq have dISplayed incredible resilience to overcome The brutality of Da'esh (IS) occupation," The statement said.

"Since September 2014, Australia has made one of The most significant contributions to The Global Coalition. Since The start of operations, on average, around 600 Australian Defence Force personnel are deployed at any one time to The Middle East as part of our support to The coalition.

"Despite The significance of The milestone represented by thIS territorial defeat, it does not represent The end of The fight against Da'esh nor The extremISm it embodies. Da'esh continues to pose a security threat in The Middle East region and beyond, including through The propagation of its extreme ideology."