The Al Nuri mosque which was so important to Daesh that it’s where their leader gave a speech declaring the so-called ‘caliphate’ in 2014 has now been blown up by them in recognition of their defeat.
Daesh destruction of the Mosque demonstrates they are admitting defeat in Mosul and have no respect for religion.
The mosque had stood in Mosul for over eight centuries, and its famous leaning minaret earned the city of Mosul the nickname “the hunchback.”
The Global Coalition is working by, with, and through the Government of Iraq to defeat Daesh in Mosul and throughout Iraq. The nations in the Global Coalition contribute to the defeat of Daesh by providing the Iraqi forces with equipment, training, intelligence and surveillance, precision fire support and military advice to leaders. This alliance has enabled the Iraqi Security Forces to reclaim over 47,000 square kilometres of their land from Daesh for the people of Iraq.
“As our Iraqi Security Force partners closed in on the al-Nuri mosque, Daesh destroyed one of Mosul and Iraq’s great treasures,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, Commanding General of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Operation Inherent Resolve.
“This is a crime against the people of Mosul and all of Iraq, and is an example of why this brutal organisation must be defeated,” said Martin. “The responsibility of this devastation is laid firmly at the doorstep of Daesh, and we continue to support our Iraqi partners as they bring these terrorists to justice. However, the battle for the liberation of Mosul is not yet complete, and we remain focused on supporting the ISF with that objective in mind.”
CJFLCC-OIR is the ground forces command in Iraq that supports the Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve’s ongoing multi-national Global Coalition mission to defeat Daesh in Iraq.
Background
The Global Coalition is comprised of more than international partners and was formed in September 2014. Its mission is to degrade and defeat Daesh through five structured lines of effort: militarily, cutting Daesh finances, stemming the flow of foreign fighters, stabilisation efforts and degrading their poisonous ideology.