ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Islamic State extremists have destroyed the ancient Bashtabiya castle in Mosul city, the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement. The attack on the 12th century monument is the latest move by Islamic State to desecrate historical sites in areas it occupies. The ministry described the castle as a powerful symbol of “the identity of the city.” Although the archaeological site did not contain any statues, graves or a shrine, ISIS demolished it because the extremists believed it was against Islamic principles, according to the ministry. “The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities will hunt down the perpetrators who blew up the castle and take them to international courts,” the statement
