During restoration work in Mosul’s iconic Al-Nuri mosque, a United Nations agency reported discovering five bombs planted years ago by Islamic State (IS) jihadists. This alarming find was made within the southern wall of the prayer hall on Tuesday by a UNESCO team working to restore the historic site.
A representative from UNESCO, the UN cultural agency, disclosed to AFP on Friday that these explosive devices were of significant scale, designed to cause massive destruction.
The Al-Nuri mosque, along with its famous leaning minaret known as Al-Hadba or the “hunchback,” dates back to the 12th century. Both the mosque and minaret were demolished during the intense battle to reclaim Mosul from IS control.
For three years, IS occupied Mosul and, during that period, planted explosives throughout the city, including at this historic site. Iraq’s army has accused IS of planting the bombs and subsequently blowing up the mosque and minaret during their retreat.
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UNESCO has been leading efforts to restore the mosque and other architectural heritage sites in Mosul, which suffered extensive damage in the 2017 battle to liberate the city. The agency’s work is crucial for preserving the cultural and historical legacy of the region, much of which was reduced to rubble during the conflict.
Following the discovery of the bombs, the Iraqi armed forces quickly secured the area, ensuring that the situation is now fully under control.
One of the bombs has already been removed, but four other devices, each weighing 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds), remain interconnected. These remaining explosives are expected to be cleared in the coming days, as part of the ongoing efforts to restore and secure the historic site.
The discovery of these bombs serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of IS occupation in the region and underscores the importance of ongoing restoration and security efforts to protect and preserve Iraq’s cultural heritage.
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The United Nations agency discovered five bombs hidden in a specially rebuilt wall of Mosul’s Al-Nuri mosque, explaining why they were missed during the 2020 site clearance.
Iraqi General Tahseen al-Khafaji confirmed the discovery and said the Defence Ministry has been called in to defuse the complex devices. Construction has been paused until the bombs are removed.
Al-Nuri mosque, where IS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi declared a “caliphate” in 2014, is undergoing restoration funded by the UAE, with completion expected in December 2024.