Video Shows Iraqi Forces Closing In on al-Nuri Mosque Before Its Destruction

Iraqi forces advanced against Islamic State fighters in Old Mosul on June 21, moving towards the last IS stronghold around the historic al-Nuri Mosque and its leaning al-Habda minaret, shortly before a large explosion destroyed the famous buildings.The al-Nuri Mosque was where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced the establishment of the Islamic State’s caliphate in 2014.This video was shared by an Iraqi journalist and shows Iraqi forces mere meters from the mosque before a large explosion took it and its minaret down.Islamic State’s destruction of the mosque was called by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi the “official announcement of their defeat.” Credit: Yaser Qara Goli via Storyful