Islamic State detonates prisoners tied to ancient columns in Palmyra, Syria

The ancient temple of Baal Shamin, or "Lord of the Heavens," in Palmyra, Syria, before it was destroyed by Islamic State militants in July 2015. On Oct. 27, 2015, activists reported IS militants executed three prisoners in Palmyra by tying them to columns and blowing them up. Photo: Syria's department of antiquities and museums.

PALMYRA, Syria, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- The Islamic State detonated explosives on three prisoners strapped to columns in the ancient ruins of Palmyra, Syria, according to activists.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group monitoring the war in Syria, reports the identities of the prisoners are not known but notes it is the first time IS militants have used such a method to execute detainees.

IS forces captured the ruins in May along with the adjacent city of Tadmur, and since then the militants have destroyed several temples, tombs, towers and arches at the site, which dates back thousands of years.

IS has also destroyed multiple ancient sites in Iraq, saying the artifacts represent "idolatry," but officials say the group also sells such items on the black market to fund operations.

Shortly after IS forces seized Palmyra in May they reportedly executed at least 150 regime troops and more than 60 civilians in the ruins. In July, the militants released a video depicting teenage radicals using pistols to execute 25 Syrian soldiers in the city's historic amphitheater.