Daesh destroys historic mosque in Mosul: Iraqi army

By Haydar Hadi

MOSUL, Iraq (AA) – Terrorist group Daesh has blown up the iconic al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul, the Iraqi army said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Lt. Gen. Abdulemir Yarullah of Operations Command in Mosul said: “The terrorist organization Daesh blew up Mosul’s Grand al-Nuri Mosque and its minarets while our forces were 50 meters away.”

The terrorist group announced its so-called “caliphate” at the historic mosque in 2014.

On Sunday, Iraqi forces began fresh operations aimed at retaking Mosul's Old City, a densely populated maze of narrow alleys where fighting is usually done house to house.

Backed by air cover provided by a U.S.-led coalition, the Iraqi military is currently engaged in a months-long campaign to recapture Mosul, Daesh’s last stronghold in northern Iraq.