Landmark Grand Al-Nuri Mosque in Iraq’s Mosul blown up
The landmark Grand al-Nuri Mosque of Mosul and its leaning minaret have been blown up, according to reports, with the Iraqi army blaming ISIL for its destruction and the armed group accusing a US-led coalition air raid, Al-Jazeera reported.
In recent days, US-backed Iraqi forces have been pushing deeper into the last remaining areas held by ISIL in Iraq’s second city, Al-Jazeera added.
“Our forces were advancing toward their targets deep in the Old City and when they got to within 50 metres of the Nuri mosque, Daesh (ISIL) committed another historical crime by blowing up the Nuri mosque,” Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir Yarallah, the overall commander of the Mosul offensive, said in a statement, Al-Jazeera indicated.
In a statement on its Amaq website, ISIL blamed US aircraft for destroying the mosque, according to Al-Jazeera.
Grand al-Nuri mosque is where ISIL’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made a rare appearance in June 2014 and made a speech while standing at a pulpit to proclaim the creation of a “caliphate”. Al-Jazeera indicated.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include ‘Op-Ed’ in the subject line.
- Libya’s HCS invites applicants for key state roles - December 31, 2023
- UK calls on Iran to prevent escalation in Israel-Hamas conflict - November 05, 2023
- Libyan Interior Minister: Immigrant shelter costs a fortune - November 05, 2023