Syrian regime soldiers lined up in the ancient amphitheater before execution
In a video released yesterday, the Islamic State showcased the execution of 25 Syrian regime soldiers in the city of Palmyra’s ancient Roman ruins. It appears that the executioners were adolescents, or possibly younger.
The jihadist group said these fighters were captured when it overran the city of Palmyra (Tadmur in Arabic) in late May. At least 462 civilians, 241 government troops, and 150 Islamic State fighters were killed in the fighting in and around the town since May 13, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The jihadist group also took over several nearby towns and the Jazal oil field. [For more on this, see LWJ report, Islamic State seizes Syrian city of Palmyra.]
The Islamic State also photographed its fighters using US-made BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles in that offensive.
