Workers dig holes to reach the underground safes of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of ISIS. AFP
Workers dig holes to reach the underground safes of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of ISIS. AFP
Workers retrieve bags of banknotes from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, on October 20, 2021. - In the imposing building with gaping holes and a blackened ceiling, workers removed sacks containing packs of banknotes rolled up in black plastic bags from a hole in the floor. When IS militants took Mosul in the summer of 2014, they seized several hundred million dollars as well as gold bars from the Mosul branch of Iraq's central bank. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP)
Workers retrieve bags of banknotes from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, on October 20, 2021. - In the imposing building with gaping holes and a blackened ceiling, workers removed sacks containing packs of banknotes rolled up in black plastic bags from a hole in the floor. When IS militants took Mosul in the summer of 2014, they seized several hundred million dollars as well as gold bars from the Mosul branch of Iraq's central bank. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP)
Bags of banknotes retrieved from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, are piled up on the floor, on October 20, 2021. - In the imposing building with gaping holes and a blackened ceiling, workers removed sacks containing packs of banknotes rolled up in black plastic bags from a hole in the floor. When IS militants took Mosul in the summer of 2014, they seized several hundred million dollars as well as gold bars from the Mosul branch of Iraq's central bank. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP)
Bags of banknotes retrieved from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, are piled up on the floor, on October 20, 2021. - In the imposing building with gaping holes and a blackened ceiling, workers removed sacks containing packs of banknotes rolled up in black plastic bags from a hole in the floor. When IS militants took Mosul in the summer of 2014, they seized several hundred million dollars as well as gold bars from the Mosul branch of Iraq's central bank. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP)
Workers dig holes to reach the underground safes of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of ISIS. AFP
Workers dig holes to reach the underground safes of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of ISIS. AFP
Workers dig holes to reach the underground safes of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of ISIS. AFP
Workers dig holes to reach the underground safes of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of ISIS. AFP
A police vehicle is parked outside the imposing and shattered central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. AFP
A police vehicle is parked outside the imposing and shattered central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. AFP
Bags of banknotes retrieved from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, are piled up on the floor, on October 20, 2021. - In the imposing building with gaping holes and a blackened ceiling, workers removed sacks containing packs of banknotes rolled up in black plastic bags from a hole in the floor. When IS militants took Mosul in the summer of 2014, they seized several hundred million dollars as well as gold bars from the Mosul branch of Iraq's central bank. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP)
Bags of banknotes retrieved from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, are piled up on the floor, on October 20, 2021. - In the imposing building with gaping holes and a blackened ceiling, workers removed sacks containing packs of banknotes rolled up in black plastic bags from a hole in the floor. When IS militants took Mosul in the summer of 2014, they seized several hundred million dollars as well as gold bars from the Mosul branch of Iraq's central bank. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP)
A fighter holds an ISIS flag and a weapon on a street in the city of Mosul, Iraq, on June 23, 2014. Reuters
A fighter holds an ISIS flag and a weapon on a street in the city of Mosul, Iraq, on June 23, 2014. Reuters
Members of an Iraqi special forces police unit fire a rocket toward ISIS militants on the south of Mosul, Iraq. Reuters
Members of an Iraqi special forces police unit fire a rocket toward ISIS militants on the south of Mosul, Iraq. Reuters
An Iraqi soldier fires a RPG during clashes with ISIS fighters in Al Qasar.
An Iraqi soldier fires a RPG during clashes with ISIS fighters in Al Qasar.
An Iraqi special forces soldier walks in front of humvees destroyed by an ISIS car bomb attack during clashes in Mosul, Iraq, November 19, 2016. Reuters
An Iraqi special forces soldier walks in front of humvees destroyed by an ISIS car bomb attack during clashes in Mosul, Iraq, November 19, 2016. Reuters
The destroyed Al Hadba minaret at the Grand Al Nuri Mosque in the Old City of Mosul. Reuters
The destroyed Al Hadba minaret at the Grand Al Nuri Mosque in the Old City of Mosul. Reuters
Iraqi men distribute food to poor families in the old city of Mosul on August 22, 2018. Reuters
Iraqi men distribute food to poor families in the old city of Mosul on August 22, 2018. Reuters

MENA

Iraq

Iraqi workers find 'sacks of ruined cash' in Mosul in post-ISIS clear up

Officials say they have recovered at least 175 bags of money so far as workers clear rubble from the liberation of Mosul

The National

October 21, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Workers clearing rubble from Iraq’s central bank building in the shattered city of Mosul have pulled bags of waterlogged banknotes from safes in the floor.

The grand building is still riddled with bullet marks, gaping holes and the walls are charred and blackened – a reminder of the gruelling ground battle to liberate the city from ISIS in 2017.

Bags of banknotes retrieved from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, are piled up on the floor, on October 20, 2021. AFP
Bags of banknotes retrieved from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, are piled up on the floor, on October 20, 2021. AFP

Workers clearing the site removed sacks of banknotes rolled up in black plastic bags from a hole in the floor, an AFP correspondent said.

"After starting to fix the building and removing rubble, we were able to access the safes," said Hussein Al Zaidi, chief of the Mosul branch of the Iraqi central bank.

The banknotes were badly damaged after "the coffers were engulfed in groundwater due to an air strike" during the offensive to take Mosul from the militants.

"We discovered banknotes in bags, small bills," he said.

So far, they have retrieved 175 bags, he said, without specifying the total value.

When ISIS militants overran Mosul in the summer of 2014, they seized several hundred million dollars, as well as gold bars from the Mosul branch of Iraq's central bank.

The country's second city, Mosul was the militant’s Iraqi "capital" of their self-proclaimed "caliphate".

Bags of banknotes retrieved from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, are piled up on the floor, on October 20, 2021. AFP
Bags of banknotes retrieved from the underground coffers of a central bank branch in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State(IS) group, are piled up on the floor, on October 20, 2021. AFP

The Iraqi army and a US-led coalition retook the city in 2017 after intense bombardment and fighting that left it in ruins.

Iraq declared victory over the extremists later that year.

Earlier this month, Iraq said it had captured ISIS's suspected finance chief, Sami Jasim Al Jaburi, in an operation in Turkey.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Switch%20Foods%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Edward%20Hamod%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Plant-based%20meat%20production%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2034%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%246.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Based%20in%20US%20and%20across%20Middle%20East%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Awar Qalb

Director: Jamal Salem

Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman

Two stars

'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champioons League semi-final:

First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2

Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

If you go...

Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.

Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.

Brighton 1
Gross (50' pen)

Tottenham 1
Kane (48)

UJDA CHAMAN

Produced: Panorama Studios International

Directed: Abhishek Pathak

Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla

Rating: 3.5 /5 stars

While you're here
While you're here
While you're here
THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

Company Profile

Company name: Yeepeey

Started: Soft launch in November, 2020

Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani

Based: Dubai

Industry: E-grocery

Initial investment: $150,000

Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year

On Women's Day
More on Quran memorisation:
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Friday's schedule at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

GP3 qualifying, 10:15am

Formula 2, practice 11:30am

Formula 1, first practice, 1pm

GP3 qualifying session, 3.10pm

Formula 1 second practice, 5pm

Formula 2 qualifying, 7pm

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Astra%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdallah%20Abu%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20technology%20investment%20and%20development%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULT

Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books

MATCH INFO

Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')

Leicester City 2 (Maddison 55', Tielemans 72')

Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)

The specs

Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km

Updated: October 21, 2021, 6:12 AM`
IraqMosulISIS