Video: Islamic State group destroys ancient ruins of Nimrud

Author: Associated Press
Published: Updated:
MGN Online

BAGHDAD (AP) – An online video purports to show Islamic State militants bombing ruins at the ancient Iraqi city of Nimrud.

The video, posted late Saturday, showed militants using sledgehammers, jackhammers, a bulldozer and ultimately explosives to level the site, located near the militant-held city of Mosul.

Some of the figures in the video appeared to have rebar, ribbed bars of steels designed to reinforce concrete that are a technique of modern building. An Iraqi Antiquities Ministry official, speaking Sunday on condition of anonymity, said all the items at Nimrud were authentic. In March, both Iraqi and United Nations officials warned the site had been looted and damaged.

The video conformed to other Associated Press reporting about the militants’ attack.

One militant on the video said: “God has honored us to remove all of these idols and statutes.” The Islamic State group, which holds a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in its self-declared caliphate, has been destroying ancient relics they say promote idolatry that violates their fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.