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| 25 Syrian government soldiers kneel in the ancient amphitheatre in the city of Palmyra ahead of being executed by children |
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) have released a video purportedly showing the execution of dozens of Syrian government soldiers in the ancient ruins of Palmyra.
The footage shows 25 men kneeling on the stage of the site's historic Roman theatre, their hands tied behind their backs.
With ritualistic precision, the same numbers of executioners then step out in unison, each taking up position behind one of the condemned. A large black Isil flag is draped over the columns behind them.
Wearing matching long brown robes and brown bandannas the executioners appear to be boys or young teenagers – few look old enough to grow a beard.
Footage filmed from cameras trained on the soldiers' faces show that the men have been beaten.
Then the child jihadists transform the world-class tourist attraction into a killing ground.
Simultaneously raising their pistols, they spray bullets into the heads and backs of the men, leaving them lifeless and bloody on the ground.
An apparently unhappy crowd of onlookers, mostly dressed in civilian clothes, are gathered on the seats of the stadium watching the grisly show. » | Ruth Sherlock, Beirut | Sunday, July 5, 2015
