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ISIS blows up landmark Grand al-Nuri mosque with leaning minaret in Mosul - Iraqi military ISIS blows up landmark Grand al-Nuri mosque with leaning minaret in Mosul - Iraqi military
(35 minutes later)
The iconic al-Nuri mosque in Mosul, Iraq has been blown up by Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) terrorists, news agencies report citing the Iraqi military.The iconic al-Nuri mosque in Mosul, Iraq has been blown up by Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) terrorists, news agencies report citing the Iraqi military.
The historical mosque in the Old City was particularly famous for its leaning minaret. It has now been destroyed, Reuters reported on Wednesday, quoting an Iraqi military statement.The historical mosque in the Old City was particularly famous for its leaning minaret. It has now been destroyed, Reuters reported on Wednesday, quoting an Iraqi military statement.
Previously, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had declared the Islamic caliphate in the mosque, an Iraqi officer said as reported by AP. "The Daesh [Arabic term for IS] terror gangs committed another historical crime by blowing up the al-Nuri mosque and its historical al-Hadba minaret," the statement read.
The landmark structure, built in the 12th century, had already been targeted by the terrorist group when it occupied the Iraqi city in 2014. IS responded through it's propaganda wing Amaq, and blamed a US airstrike for the mosque’s destruction.
The demolition occurred as forces from Iraq's elite Counter Terrorism Service made their way to within 50 meters (164 ft) of the mosque, according to the statement. Officials had been hoping to recapture the historic building before the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The landmark structure, built in the 12th century, was where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had declared the Islamic caliphate soon after it occupied the Iraqi city in 2014 and the black flag of IS had been flying from the minaret ever since.
IS’ occupation of Mosul coincided with reports of civil resistance against the terrorist group, with residents reportedly having saved the mosque by forming a human chain around it.IS’ occupation of Mosul coincided with reports of civil resistance against the terrorist group, with residents reportedly having saved the mosque by forming a human chain around it.
An Iraqi commander had said earlier in the day that the army was 15 meters away from the mosque, pushing ahead with their offensive, the BBC reported. The US-backed operation to retake Mosul from the terrorist group was launched over 8 months ago. Earlier this week, Iraqi forces pressed into the Old City where the remaining jihadists have been holed up, with air support from the US-led coalition and backed up on the ground by Shiite militias and the Kurdish peshmerga.
The US-backed operation to retake Mosul from the terrorist group was launched over 8 months ago. Earlier this week, Iraqi forces pressed into the Old City where the remaining jihadists have been holed up.
Around 100,000 civilians are still trapped in the area, according to UN estimates.Around 100,000 civilians are still trapped in the area, according to UN estimates.
READ MORE: ‘Excessive risk’: Leading NGOs unite to criticize Mosul bombing campaignREAD MORE: ‘Excessive risk’: Leading NGOs unite to criticize Mosul bombing campaign
The terrorist group has infamously destroyed a number of architectural gems of world importance in the Middle East. Jihadists have devastated the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria, with their brutal acts having been described as "a new war crime and an immense loss for humanity" by UNESCO.The terrorist group has infamously destroyed a number of architectural gems of world importance in the Middle East. Jihadists have devastated the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria, with their brutal acts having been described as "a new war crime and an immense loss for humanity" by UNESCO.
READ MORE: Smash, bulldoze, erase: ISIS releases new video of Palmyra antiquities’ destructionREAD MORE: Smash, bulldoze, erase: ISIS releases new video of Palmyra antiquities’ destruction
IS has also demolished a 2,000-year-old Gate of God near Mosul, with the structure having been documented as an artifact from the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh.IS has also demolished a 2,000-year-old Gate of God near Mosul, with the structure having been documented as an artifact from the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh.