What you’re about to see took place on Monday in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, the jewel of the Anbar province, where just a few months ISIS reigned with close to 1,000 of their fighters patrolling the broken streets.

It’s proud Iraqi soldiers hoisting their flag over their once-invaded metropolis.

It was the first significant victory for the Iraqi military (who were trained by United States forces) in more than a year, and an enormous step in their quest to rid the Islamic State from their land.

It certainly isn’t Old Glory, but it sure as hell beats seeing this thing waving.

TIME