ISIS Pillages Nimrod, Destroys Historic Treasures

ISIS reportedly destroyed some of the world's greatest historical treasures in the Iraqi city of Nimrod.

The jihadist group posted an online video that shows them taking sledgehammers and jackhammers to artifacts and even using explosives to destroy items dating back to the 13th century B.C.

The items are from the Assyrian rule that began 2,500 years ago and stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to what is now Iran.

The Assyrians left behind dozens of palaces and temples that included such items as alabaster reliefs depicting kings conquering other lands and fighting lions. The artifacts also included images of Assyrian gods.

ISIS terrorists have been destroying ancient relics they say promote idolatry that violate their fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law. Their destruction includes the ancient Iraqi city of Hatra, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Authorities also believe they've sold other relics on the black market to fund their atrocities. One of the jihadists in the video declared, "God has honored us in the Islamic State to remove all of these idols and statues worshipped instead of Allah in the past days."

Another militant vows that "whenever we seize a piece of land, we will remove signs of idolatry and spread monotheism."

The attacks have horrified archaeologists and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who last month called the destruction at Nimrod "a war crime."