Iraqi military captures iconic mosque in Mosul, claims ISIS has fallen

As they moved closer to capturing the last ISIS stronghold in the city of Mosul, Iraqi special forces on Thursday took over the area of the al-Nuri mosque where the terrorist organization's leader declared the establishment of its "caliphate" in 2014. ISIS blew up the 850-year-old mosque on June 21 as the security forces approached. Iraqi engineering troops were to begin sweeping the mosque compound and the surrounding area for mines. A military spokesman, referring to ISIS, said in a local TV interview that "their fictitious state has fallen."