Iraqi PM Declares End of IS Caliphate after Mosque Recapture

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

 

Baghdad,6 Shawwal 1438/30 June 2017 (MiNA) — The Iraqi forces’ seizure of the historic Al-Nouri mosque signifies the end of the So-called Islamic State’s (IS) caliphate, said on Thursday.

“Iraq’s possession of the site of the Al-Nouri mosque and Al-Hadbaa Minaret, which were destroyed by IS, represents the end of the IS caliphate,” KUNA reported, citing a statement by Al-Abadi.

Iraqi forces have announced that they now control the site of the now-destroyed Al-Nouri Mosque and Al-Hadbaa Minaret in Old Mosul, where IS declared its caliphate in Iraq and Syria three years ago. (end) ah.nam

A similar statement was made by the Ministry of Defense that Iraqi troops have crushed most of “Daesh’s” strongholds in northern city Mosul, the Ministry of Defense indicated on Thursday.

“Daesh no longer controls any region in Mosul and there is full collapse of their ranks and the government forces will declare Mosul clear of Daesh very soon,” said the ministry statement.

The new official statement came amid various reports that the regular forces tightened the noose around the militants.

However, they had repeatedly launched counter attacks, sneaked and hit the regulars from behind. The general situations indicated that there were still some pockets or hideouts for the gunmen. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)