Iraq said Thursday its forces retook control of the destroyed historic mosque in the city of Mosul, where three years ago the head of the Islamic State group announced a self-declared caliphate.
Militants blew up the 850-year-old Grand al-Nuri mosque and its leaning 45-meter minaret last week, furthering the devastation of Mosul during eight months of fighting.
Iraqi forces backed by airstrikes and ground support from a U.S.-led coalition are working to oust the last Islamic State fighters from the Old City section of western Mosul and complete their mission to reclaim full control of the city the militants seized in mid-2014.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said blowing up the mosque amounted to "an official acknowledgement of defeat" by Islamic State.
The militant group has lost control of the other major Iraqi cities it once held, and while it controls more areas in Syria, a collection of forces there is focused on recapturing its de facto capital of Raqqa.
Read More Iraqi Military Says It Recaptured Landmark Mosul Mosque : http://ift.tt/2tspzku
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