al-Nuri mosque mosul iraq ISIS Islamic State
© Alaa Al-Marjani / ReutersAl-Hadba minaret at the Grand Mosque is seen through a building window in the old city of Mosul, Iraq on June 1, 2017
The iconic al-Nuri mosque in Mosul, Iraq has been blown up by Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) terrorists, news agencies report citing the Iraqi military.

The historical mosque in the Old City was particularly famous for its leaning minaret. It has now been destroyed, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing an Iraqi military statement.

Previously, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had declared the Islamic caliphate in the mosque, AP reported citing an Iraqi officer.

The landmark structure, built in the 12th century, had already been targeted by the terrorist group when it occupied the Iraqi city in 2014.

IS' occupation of Mosul coincided with reports of civil resistance against the terrorist group, with residents reportedly having saved the mosque by forming a human chain around it.

An Iraqi commander had said earlier in the day that the army was 15 meters away from the mosque, pushing ahead with their offensive, the BBC reported.

The US-backed operation to retake Mosul from the terrorist group was launched over 8 months ago. Earlier this week, Iraqi forces pressed into the Old City where the remaining jihadists have been holed up.

Around 100,000 civilians are still trapped in the area, according to UN estimates.