The Iraqi military has declared victory over ISIS and issued a statement that the reign of the extremists’ “caliphate” has ended in their country.
“Their fictitious state has fallen,” military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told state TV on Thursday, according to a report in the Independent.
The announcement was made from the ruins of Mosul’s Grand Mosque, which was the same spot where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of a “caliphate” on July 4, 2014.
Last week, ISIS blew up the mosque, with is iconic “hunchback” minaret, in what was seen as an admission of defeat. Losing control over Mosul means ISIS is no longer a land-holding force.
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According to the report in the Independent, there are still about 300 ISIS militants who haven not given up but the Iraqi military expects all fighting to end within the next few days.
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ISIS, in possible admission of defeat, destroys historic mosque in Mosul
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