article_snippet: Islamic State militants have bulldozed an ancient Iraqi city using heavy military vehicles in the latest attack on the country's historical heritage.
article_snippet: A statement from Iraq's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities didn't elaborate on the extent of the damage.
article_snippet: The city, which was destroyed in 612 BC, is located on the Tigris River, just south of Mosul, which was captured by ISIS last June.
article_snippet: Last year, the militants destroyed the Mosque of the Prophet Younis - or Jonah - and the Mosque of the Prophet Jirjis, two revered ancient shrines in Mosul.
article_snippet: the militants also threatened to destroy Mosul's 850-year old Crooked Minaret, but residents surrounded the structure, preventing the militants from approaching.
article_snippet: A U.S.-led coalition has been striking the group since August, and Iraqi forces launched an offensive this week to try to retake the militant-held city of Tikrit, on the main road linking Baghdad to Mosul.