Mosul (Iraq), Dec 15 (IANS/EFE): The Islamic State (IS) jihadi group has blown up the biggest prison in northern Iraq after transferring the prisoners to the Syrian province of Raqqa, its main stronghold, an Iraqi security source told Efe news agency Monday.
The chief of security in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh, Mohamed al-Bayati, said the IS Sunday completely destroyed the main building and the towers of Badush prison, 10 miles west of Mosul, Nineveh's capital.
Iraqi soldiers who were captured during an assault on a military base in Saladin province were among the large number of prisoners taken to Raqqa by vehicles, according to the source.
During the attack, the IS executed dozens of soldiers at the base.
The IS seized Badush prison in June and freed more than 3,000 prisoners, including leaders of the radical organization, and executed more than 550 Shia prisoners.