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Donald Trump says end of Islamic State ‘is in sight’

Click to play video: 'U.S.-backed forces liberate ISIS capital of Raqqa'
U.S.-backed forces liberate ISIS capital of Raqqa
WATCH ABOVE: U.S.-backed forces liberate ISIS capital of Raqqa – Oct 17, 2017

STERLING, Va. – President Donald Trump says the end of the Islamic State “is in sight” after the militant group was driven out of Raqqa, its self-declared capital in Syria.

Trump says in a statement that the recapture of Raqqa by the Syrian Democratic Forces is “a critical breakthrough in our worldwide campaign to defeat ISIS.”

READ MORE: ISIS completely driven out of their Syrian capital Raqqa

He says it’ll soon be time to transition to a new phase in which the U.S. will continue to support local security forces and “advance the conditions for a lasting peace.”

WATCH: Soldiers celebrate as Raqqa is liberated from ISIS

Click to play video: 'Soldiers celebrate as Raqqa is liberated from ISIS'
Soldiers celebrate as Raqqa is liberated from ISIS

Trump says the U.S. will back diplomatic negotiations that end the violence in Syria, allow refugees to return safely home and “yield a political transition that honours the will of the Syrian people.”

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There are no signs, however, that political transition will occur any time soon.

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