After a four-month-battle, US-backed militias on Friday declared the “total liberation” of Raqqa, the de-facto capital of ISIS in Northern Syria.

Talal Silo, spokesman of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, claimed a “historic victory” over the jihadists and said the extremist group had suffered a “brutal” defeat, CNN reported.

The SDF handed over administration of the devastated city to a council made up of local officials and tribal leaders and a 3,000-strong US-trained police force tasked with governance and security.

“Our victory is one against terrorism, and the liberation of Raqqa marks the latest chapter in the fight against terrorists in Syria,” Silo said in a soccer stadium where ISIS militants had tortured their opponents.