The remains of Mosul that I walked over did not just bury thousands of years of history, but a culture of coexistence which will be hard to rebuild.
There are reports that suggest foreign fighters are the ones fleeing.
According to the terrorist organisation, the practice of Islam in these countries is thought to be apostate.
Although the militant group repeatedly issued statements claiming to be coming from their chief, he has not been seen on any public platform since 2001.
Al-Baghdadi's asserted his leadership by announcing formation of the Caliphate, disregarding the ruling of al Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri.