Fall of ISIS-Held Mosul Would Mean Fall of the Caliphate: US Commander

The fall of the ISIS-held city of Mosul in Iraq would mean the fall of ISIS’s caliphate as well. That's according to the commander leading the U.S.-backed Iraqi ground forces pushing toward the city to oust the extremist terror group.

“ISIS has said this is the crown jewel of Iraq and its idea of a caliphate,” Maj. Gen. Gary Volesky told NBC News Tuesday. “There’s not going to be a caliphate, if there ever really was one. So for ISIL, this is going to be a key loss for them, and it will be a loss.”

Volesky expressed confidence in the military offensive, praising Iraqi troops for driving quickly toward Mosul.

“Iraqis have the momentum,” he said.

ISIS took control of Mosul two and a half years ago.  

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