Islamic militants destroy historic mosque in Iraqi city of Mosul

BAGHDAD - Residents of the Iraqi city of Mosul say militants with the Islamic State group have destroyed another historic mosque and shrine

Mosul residents said the Prophet Jirjis Mosque and Shrine was bombed by Islamic State militants late Sunday, the latest casualty in a week that has seen a half dozen of Mosul's most revered holy places destroyed. They spoke anonymously to The Associated Press for fear of reprisal.

The Islamic State group launched an aggressive offensive through western and northern Iraq beginning late last year and took over Mosul in June.

Among the mosques destroyed in Mosul last week are the Mosque of the Prophet Sheeth (Seth) and the Mosque of the Prophet Younis, or Jonah, said to be the burial place of the Prophet Jonah, who in stories from both the Bible and Quran is swallowed by a whale.