<br /> <p>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.</p><p>The al-Nuri Mosque was where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced the establishment of the Islamic State’s caliphate in 2014.</p><p>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.</p><p>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</p><br />
