ISIS Releases Chilling Images of the Syrian Temple Destruction

ISIS releases five images of the Palmyra temple destruction, detailing how the act was carried out.

ISIS militants blowing the Palmyra temple. (Photo: Islamic State social media account via AP)

Islamic State militants published photos on Tuesday, to show the destruction of a Roman-era temple in the central Syrian city of Palmyra, an act the UN cultural agency UNESCO has called a war crime.

Explosives being carried inside the temple. (Photo: Islamic State social media account via AP)

Five photos were distributed on social media showing explosives being carried inside, being set around the walls of the temple, followed by the large explosion, and then the ensuing rubble.

Explosives are being set up. (Photo: Islamic State social media account via AP)

A closer view of the explosives. (Photo: Islamic State social media account via AP)

When the bombing happened. (Photo: Islamic State social media account via AP)

Turning the temple into rubble. (Photo: Islamic State social media account via AP)

The militants blew up the temple of Baal Shamin on Sunday, according to the Syrian antiquities chief.

The temple was built nearly 2,000 years ago and UNESCO had described it as a symbol of Syria’s historical cultural diversity, which it says Islamic State is seeking to obliterate.