Mass Execution of Captives in the Ancient Site of Palmyra

The group 'Islamic State' (formerly ISIS) has released a new video of a mass execution of its captives, this time showing 13-14-year-old boys as the executioners. The shooting took place in the historical area of Palmyra (Tadmur) in Syria. The execution was carried out by these teenagers in the ancient Roman amphitheater in Palmyra, while dozens of local residents were brought to watch; a young boy was also seen among the spectators. The video of the shooting of soldiers by the teenage ISIS members was published on the Twitter account of ISIS supporters. In the video, these uniformed teenagers are seen simultaneously shooting at 25 Syrian army soldiers who are crouched on the ground. It is suggested that this execution occurred a few days after the Islamic State forces took control of the ancient areas of Palmyra. The Islamic State captured the Palmyra area in Homs province about a month and a half ago. The Syrian army's retreat from Palmyra was one of the few instances in the four-and-a-half-year civil war that the army loyal to Bashar al-Assad immediately confirmed. UNESCO is concerned that Islamic State fighters will destroy the ancient monuments of Palmyra, as they have done in many archaeological sites in Mosul and other parts of Iraq. The ancient ruins of Palmyra (Tadmur) are considered a significant part of humanity's heritage and were one of Syria's main tourist attractions. Meanwhile, it is estimated that over two hundred people have been executed since the Islamic State took control of Palmyra. On the other hand, the Associated Press reported on Sunday, July 14, about a significant military success for the Syrian army and Hezbollah in taking control of some border areas in Syria. According to this report, the Syrian army and Hezbollah forces took control of the mountain area of 'Zabadani,' which had previously been under opposition control. Since Friday, July 12, joint artillery fire from the Syrian army and Hezbollah against opposition positions in 'Zabadani' in the 'Rif Dimashq' region has intensified. 'Zabadani' had been in opposition hands for about four years. Syrian state television reported heavy casualties among the opposition. This military success strengthens the Syrian army's control over the highway between Damascus and Beirut. However, according to the Associated Press, the opposition has shelled several residential neighborhoods in Damascus, including 'Baghdad Street,' which is in the heart of Damascus. Shells hit the famous 'Dama Rose' hotel near the 'Abu Romaneh' neighborhood in Damascus, shattering its windows; the official Syrian news agency, SANA, also reported one death and two injuries in these attacks on Damascus. Rebel fighters have also launched heavy attacks against Syrian army positions in the city of Homs since Friday, July 12. Various rebel factions in Syria are not only fighting Bashar al-Assad's army but also targeting each other; on Friday, a member of ISIS detonated a powerful bomb strapped to his body at a mosque of the opposition group Jabhat al-Nusra in the city of 'Ariha' during iftar, killing at least 31 members of Jabhat al-Nusra, including 5 commanders, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, while Jabhat al-Nusra reported 15 deaths.