Iraqi forces retake ancient city of Nimrud from IS militants

Iraqi government forces say they have captured Nimrud, the site of an ancient Assyrian city overrun by Islamic State (IS) group militants two years ago, according to a report by the BBC.

In March 2015, officials and historians condemned IS for the destruction of the archaeological site, which dates back to the 13th Century BC, the BBC added.

The UN’s cultural body described the act as a war crime.

IS says shrines and statues are “false idols” that have to be smashed.

Nimrud lies about 30km (20 miles) south-east of the major city of Mosul, which Iraqi government forces are attempting to take from IS, the BBC explained.

The BBC also wrote, an Iraqi military statement said: “Troops from the Ninth Armoured Division liberated Nimrud town completely and raised the Iraqi flag above its buildings after inflicting loss of life and equipment on the so-called Islamic State.