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Mosul's Grand al-Nouri mosque 'blown up' by Isis fighters Mosul's Grand al-Nouri mosque 'blown up' by Isis fighters
(35 minutes later)
The Iraqi military has accused Islamic State militants of blowing up the Grand al-Nouri mosque of Mosul , where the militants’ leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a self-styled “caliphate” spanning parts of Syria and Iraq three years ago.The Iraqi military has accused Islamic State militants of blowing up the Grand al-Nouri mosque of Mosul , where the militants’ leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a self-styled “caliphate” spanning parts of Syria and Iraq three years ago.
Islamic State’s Amaq news agency accused US aircraft of destroying the mosque.Islamic State’s Amaq news agency accused US aircraft of destroying the mosque.
“The Daesh (Islamic State) terror gangs committed another historical crime by blowing up the al-Nouri mosque and its historic al-Hadba minaret,” the Iraqi military statement said.“The Daesh (Islamic State) terror gangs committed another historical crime by blowing up the al-Nouri mosque and its historic al-Hadba minaret,” the Iraqi military statement said.
The explosions happened as Iraq’s elite counter terrorism units, which have been battling their way through Mosul’s Old City, got to within 50 meters (164 ft) of the mosque, the statement said.The explosions happened as Iraq’s elite counter terrorism units, which have been battling their way through Mosul’s Old City, got to within 50 meters (164 ft) of the mosque, the statement said.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, the commander of coalition ground forces in Iraq said that Isis had “destroyed one of Mosul and Iraq’s great treasures”.
“This is a crime against the people of Mosul and all of Iraq, and is an example of why this brutal organization must be annihilated,” said Martin.
“The responsibility of this devastation is laid firmly at the doorstep of Isis, and we continue to support our Iraqi partners as they bring these terrorists to justice.”
Iraqi forces earlier on Wednesday said they had started a push towards the mosque. A US-led coalition is providing air and ground support to the Mosul offensive which began in October 2016.Iraqi forces earlier on Wednesday said they had started a push towards the mosque. A US-led coalition is providing air and ground support to the Mosul offensive which began in October 2016.
The forces had encircled on Tuesday the jihadist group’s stronghold in the Old City, the last district under their control in Mosul.The forces had encircled on Tuesday the jihadist group’s stronghold in the Old City, the last district under their control in Mosul.
Al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself “caliph“, or ruler of all Muslims, from the pulpit of the mosque on 4 July, 2014, after the insurgents overran parts of Iraq and Syria. His black flag had been flying over its leaning minaret since June 2014.Al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself “caliph“, or ruler of all Muslims, from the pulpit of the mosque on 4 July, 2014, after the insurgents overran parts of Iraq and Syria. His black flag had been flying over its leaning minaret since June 2014.
Iraqi officials had privately expressed the hope that the mosque could be captured in time for Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month. The first day of the Eid falls on 25 or 26 June in Iraq this year.Iraqi officials had privately expressed the hope that the mosque could be captured in time for Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month. The first day of the Eid falls on 25 or 26 June in Iraq this year.
The fall of Mosul would, in effect, mark the end of the Iraqi portion of the “caliphate” even though Islamic State would continue to control territory west and south of the city.The fall of Mosul would, in effect, mark the end of the Iraqi portion of the “caliphate” even though Islamic State would continue to control territory west and south of the city.
Baghdadi has left the fighting in Mosul to local commanders and is believed to be hiding in the border area between Iraq and Syria, according to US and Iraqi military sources.Baghdadi has left the fighting in Mosul to local commanders and is believed to be hiding in the border area between Iraq and Syria, according to US and Iraqi military sources.