Isis destroys monuments with sledgehammers and Kalashnikovs in ancient city of Hatra in Iraq

Seven-minute Islamic State film shows militants destroying artefacts with sledgehammers and assault rifles at 2,000-year-old site in northern Iraq

Isis footage of militants destroying artefacts in Hatra uploaded to YouTube by the Associated Press

Isis militants armed with sledgehammers and Kalashnikov assault rifles wrecked monuments and statues in the ancient Iraqi city of Hatra.

The sculptures in the Unesco World Heritage site were bludgeoned and shot to pieces last month by members of the group as they deem them to be manifestations of idolatry – which is forbidden in many Abrahamic religions.

However, on closer inspection of the destruction, iron rods could be seen holding together the monuments and the thick plumes of white dust indicate that some of the sculptures are either replicas or damaged originals that were restored.

The video that was released on Friday, was met with shock and condemnation due to vandalism of the 2,000-year-old city.1

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In a statement, the tourism and antiquities ministry blamed the international community for failing to help Iraq protect its ancient monuments.

It added: "The delay in international support for Iraq has encouraged terrorists to commit another crime of stealing and demolishing the remains of the city of Hatra."

Reports of the bulldozer attack in Nimrud, an Assyrian city founded in the 13th Century BC, emerged on Thursday.

On Friday Unesco head Irina Bokova condemned the "cultural cleansing" in Iraq as a "war crime".

"There is absolutely no political or religious justification for the destruction of humanity's cultural heritage."2

  • 1. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-ruins-monuments-with-gunfire-and-sledgehammers-in-ancient-city-of-hatra-in-iraq-10156616.html
  • 2. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31779484