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New video shows IS allegedly killing dozens of Syrian army soldiers in Palmyra

Killings take place in ampitheatre in the middle of ancient World Heritage Site
A still from the video shows the IS flag draped in the Palmyra amphitheatre (IS)

A new video released by the Islamic State (IS) has shown the group apparently executing 25 members of the Syrian army in the ancient amphitheatre of Palmyra.

The IS fighters are seen lining up the 25 soldiers in the ancient ruin in front of the militant group’s black and white flag, before shooting them in the back of the head.

The killings are thought to have taken place in late May, according to AFP.

IS took control of Palmyra last month, raising fears that the group - who regard pre-Islamic heritage as heretical - would destroy the ancient city, which is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

On Friday the group destroyed the Lion of al-Lat statue, which dated back to the 1st century AD, provoking outrage internationally,

Since their rise to international prominence in 2014, IS have become notorious for releasing online videos of their executions of hostages.

Last week, Jaish al-Islam, another Syrian opposition group opposed to IS, released an apparent video pastiche in which they executed a number of IS fighters in a similar fashion to the militant group.

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