IS blows al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul

mosul - Islamic State has blown up the Al-Nuri Mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul on Wednesday, as the Iraqi army told. The mosque was of great symbolic importance for the terrorist organization. In this religious building, IS leader al-Baghdadi called the caliphate three years ago.

The explosion takes place when the Iraqi army approaches the ancient city of Mosul. This is the place where the last IS terrorists in the city hide.

The medieval mosque is in the middle of this old town. The Iraqi army is located about two hundred meters from the mosque. It gets under its control, among other things, air support from the US-led coalition. In the old city, there are an estimated 100,000 citizens, including many children. Many others have fled Mosul when approaching the Iraqi army.

The historic mosque, whose construction was probably completed in 1173, is famous for its famed minaret.