pen people of mosul. i can't imagine any reasonable argument that anybody but isis is responsible for the vast destruction of mosul at this point. we applaud and we congratulate the iraqi security forces for coming back and returning mosul to the people. >> the iraqi prime minister was quick to come to mosul, wearing a military-style uniform and proudly announcing that from the heart of a free and liberated city, we announce absolute victory. but to call this a free and liberated city is an insult to the people of mosul, who have lost their lives and their homes. and the absolute victory was achieved with a massive amount of support from 1,600 american servicemen who risked their lives clearing bombs ahead of advancing iraqi forces, calling in air strikes, nearly 9,000 of them, and providing a constant stream of intelligence, support, and encouragement. >> it still wouldn't have been able to complete this mission without a lot of american help. >> no, we did this together.