Iraq declares an end to IS caliphate after capturing landmark mosque in Mosul

IRAQ’S PRIME Minister last night declared an end to the Islamic State caliphate after Iraqi forces captured the compound of a landmark mosque in Mosul that was blown up last week by the terror group.

“We are seeing the end of the fake Daesh state. The liberation of Mosul proves that,” Haider alAbadi said using the Arabic acronym for IS in a statement posted to twitter. “We will not relent, our brave forces will bring victory,” he added.

But even as the Iraqi leader issued his statement, heavy clashes continued to unfold in Mosul – filling field hospitals and forcing hundreds to flee.

The destroyed al-Nuri mosque retaken by Iraqi special forces following a dawn push is a hugely symbolic win.

The site is where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance in July 2014, declaring a self-styled Islamic “caliphate”, encompassing territories then-held by IS in Syria and Iraq. Iraqi and coalition officials said IS blew up the mosque complex last week.

Earlier, Britain’s Defence Secretary said IS was facing its “endgame” in Mosul while there is “irreversible momentum” towards its defeat at its Syrian base in Raqqa.

Sir Michael Fallon revealed that RAF warplanes have hit more than 700 targets to support the expected imminent liberation of Mosul, where IS, also known as Daesh, declared its “caliphate” three years ago. British aircraft have also struck 69 targets in and around Raqqa in support of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) advancing on the city from the north, east and west. IS has lost 70 per cent of the territory it once controlled in Iraq and 51 per cent of what it held in Syria. This means more four million Iraqis and Syrians have been freed from the group’s tyranny, the Ministry of Defence said.

Sir Michael said: “Three years on from when Daesh declared its so-called caliphate in Mosul, this evil death cult faces its endgame in the city.”