The United States and Iraq said that ISIS blew up a historic mosque in Mosul, which was the ideological heart of a terrorist group and home to its self-proclaimed Caliphate.

ISIS, through its information Agency, said that American military planes were responsible for the loss of the great mosque of al-Nuri and the sloping minaret. American officials said that the requirement of ISIS was "1,000% false". The Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi said that the act of ISIS "officially announces his defeat." His generals said that militants blew up the mosque after the departure of the troops.

It is difficult to overestimate the symbolism of the mosque of the Old city, which has witnessed fierce fighting between ISIS militants and coalition forces, decided to release what was the second largest city in the country. For many years black and white flag of the battle group flew from the minaret. July 4, 2014, ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi led the Friday prayers in the mosque. Dressed in black turban and cloak, the priest announced the creation of a new Caliphate and called on other Sunnis to carry out Holy war.

It was the first and last time the leader of the terrorist group spoke publicly in front of their followers. According to the UN, the Imam of the mosque was executed about a month earlier for refusing to join ISIS.
sections: Politics, World News, Accidents, Accidents