http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3395256/US-blows-bank-ISIS-Bombing-raids-destroys-millions-jihadi-cash-reserves-airstrikes-hit-terrorists-wallet.html
US blows up bank of ISIS: Bombing raids destroys 'millions' in jihadi cash reserves as airstrikes hit terrorists' wallet
- 'Cash collection and distribution point' struck in Mosul, Iraq, officials said
- U.S. now plans to bomb more 'financial targets' to destabilize terror group
- ISIS showed off 'gold coin making factory' in Mosul stronghold in August
- Not known whether same factory was destroyed in Sunday's bombing raid
- See full news coverage on ISIS at www.dailymail.co.uk/isis
A U.S. airstrike has destroyed an ISIS building which contained huge amounts of cash it used to pay its fighters, defense officials have said.
They said 'millions' of the terror group's money was blown up on Sunday, without disclosing the exact amount or what currency it was.
After the successful strike in the ISIS stronghold of Mosul, Iraq, the U.S. is now said to be planning to bomb more 'financial targets' to cut off its ability to function as a state.
A U.S. airstrike has destroyed an ISIS building which contained huge amounts of cash (pictured, a gold coin featured in ISIS propaganda video)
ISIS released a propaganda video in August which claimed the terror group had smelted its own gold coins to pay its fighters
The U.S. considers Mosul, where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made one of his few public statements to declare its so-called caliphate, as a very sensitive target because extremists mingle with civilians.
Aircraft and drones were deployed to watch the site for days after they were tipped off about an ISIS 'cash collection and distribution point' to avoid civilian casualties, officials told CNN.
A decision was made to strike the site at dawn on Sunday because ISIS fighters were working there overnight, and too many locals were nearby during the day.
U.S. commanders are said to have been willing to risk 50 civilian casualties due to the importance of the target.
Between five and seven people were killed in the attack, according to CNN, which did not disclose whether any civilians were harmed.
The U.S. considers Mosul a very sensitive target because extremists mingle with civilians but was said to be prepared to risk collateral damage to hit Sunday's target (pictured, just outside Mosul)
ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (pictured) made one of his few public statements from Mosul
ISIS released an hour long propaganda video showing off its very own currency, in the form of small gold coins, in August.
The video, thought to have been shot in Mosul, showed gold, silver and copper coins being smelted. It is not known whether that same factory was hit by U.S. warplanes this weekend.
Despite glorifying their new currency, ISIS is still believed to use U.S. dollars and local currency to pay its fighters.
In the same video, the terror group claimed its 21-carat gold coin would weigh 4.25g and be worth around $139.
It also claimed the coin, which could never be used outside ISIS territory, would never lose its value.
In reality, residents in Mosul, Iraq's second city, have routinely complained about food shortages since the arrival of ISIS in June 2014.
Iraq vowed to use the recapture of the ISIS held city of Ramadi, just 60 miles west of Baghdad, as a launchpad to retake the Nineveh province.
Iraq vowed to use the recapture of the ISIS held city of Ramadi (pictured), just 60 miles west of Baghdad, as a launchpad to retake the Nineveh province, home to Mosul
Ramadi was finally 'liberated' by 10,000 Iraqi troops who wrestled it from 300 ISIS fighters on December 28
Nineveh is home to Mosul, which is said to be the biggest city under ISIS control in either Iraq or Syria.
After a fresh operation to retake the city was launched six prior, Ramadi was finally 'liberated' by 10,000 Iraqi troops who wrestled it from 300 ISIS fighters on December 28.
For the first time since ISIS seized the town in May, troops were free to drive through its dusty streets, scattered with burned out vehicles and flanked on either side by decimated buildings.
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