The Islamic State planted landmines and explosives in the ruins of a 4,000 year-old Syrian city it captured in May.
It is unclear if militants plan to detonate the explosives or prevent the ancient city of Palmyra from being retaken by the Syrian regime, reports The Guardian. Fighters laid bombs over sections of the Roman amphitheater floor.
Jihadis announced their intention to rig Palmyra earlier last week, according to The Telegraph. The bombs were laid last Saturday.
The Islamic State captured Palmyra from government forces after less than a week of fighting. But regime reinforcements have arrived west of the city, potentially planning to launch a new assault. The Syrian government has also upped airstrikes against the city, killing 11 people in the past three days.
Palmyra’s amphitheater has already been used to publicly execute 20 people accused of supporting President Bashar Assad, reports The Telegraph. The Islamic State has killed more than 200 people in the city’s vicinity.
After capturing Palmyra, The Islamic State released footage of Assad’s infamous torture prison. The group seeks legitimacy through exposing the horrors of the Syrian dictator.
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