This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/393503-mosul-mosque-minaret-isis/
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 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. | Previously, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had declared the Islamic caliphate in the mosque, an Iraqi officer said as reported by AP. |
| The landmark structure, built in the 12th century, had already been targeted by the terrorist group when it occupied the Iraqi city in 2014. | 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’ 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. | 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. | 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 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. | |
| READ 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. |