ISIS Destroys Ruins of Ancient Assyrian City of Nimrud, Iraq

Using bulldozers, sledgehammers, and explosives, ISIS members destroyed ancient artifacts at the Assyrian city of Nimrud. In a video, posted on the internet on April 11, a spokesman said that they were removing "the symbols of polytheism" and that they would not stop until they had "destroyed the Black House in the heart of the land of heresy, America." The video shows ISIS members drilling holes in panels of carved reliefs, attacking them with sledgehammers, bulldozing the walls of the ancient city, and using explosives to blow up remains.

Following are excerpts:

ISIS members destroy antiquities in Nimrud, Iraq using heavy tools and tractors

ISIS militant: Whenever we take control of a piece of land, we remove the symbols of polytheism, and spread monotheism in it. By Allah, we shall remove the symbols of polytheism, until we have destroyed the tombs of the Rafidites in their own land, until we have shattered the crosses, and until we have destroyed the Black House in the heart of the land of heresy, America. "Allah has full control over His affairs, but most people do not know."

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The ancient site of Nimrud is razed to the ground with explosives

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