This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38678189

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Syria: Islamic State group 'kills 12' in Palmyra Syria: Islamic State group 'kills 12' in Palmyra
(35 minutes later)
So-called Islamic State militants have beheaded four people and shot eight dead in the Syrian city of Palmyra, a monitoring group says.So-called Islamic State militants have beheaded four people and shot eight dead in the Syrian city of Palmyra, a monitoring group says.
Some of the killings took place in a museum yard near the city's Unesco-listed ancient ruins, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.Some of the killings took place in a museum yard near the city's Unesco-listed ancient ruins, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Four teachers and state employees, four government soldiers and four captured rebels were killed, it added.Four teachers and state employees, four government soldiers and four captured rebels were killed, it added.
IS retook the site and nearby city last month, after being pushed out in March.IS retook the site and nearby city last month, after being pushed out in March.
IS retakes Syrian city of PalmyraPictures reveal IS damage to PalmyraIS video 'shows murders at Palmyra' IS retakes ancient Syrian city
Syria: Palmyra damage in pictures
LIS video 'shows murders at Palmyra'
A report from a local activist group, the Palmyra Monitor, said some of the killings were carried out in the site's Roman amphitheatre.A report from a local activist group, the Palmyra Monitor, said some of the killings were carried out in the site's Roman amphitheatre.
The group has previously carried out killings in front of crowds in the ancient stone auditorium, including 25 Syrian government soldiers who were shown being shot dead in a video released in 2015.The group has previously carried out killings in front of crowds in the ancient stone auditorium, including 25 Syrian government soldiers who were shown being shot dead in a video released in 2015.
In August the same year, the jihadists also beheaded the 81-year-old archaeologist, Khaled al-Asaad, who had looked after the Palmyra ruins for 40 years.In August the same year, the jihadists also beheaded the 81-year-old archaeologist, Khaled al-Asaad, who had looked after the Palmyra ruins for 40 years.
IS had seized control of the archaeological site and nearby city, known locally as Tadmur, three months earlier.IS had seized control of the archaeological site and nearby city, known locally as Tadmur, three months earlier.
They destroyed a number of monuments and, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, killed an estimated 280 people in the 10 months before Russian-backed government forces recaptured the area.They destroyed a number of monuments and, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, killed an estimated 280 people in the 10 months before Russian-backed government forces recaptured the area.
A Russian conductor led a classical concert in the amphitheatre in May 2016.A Russian conductor led a classical concert in the amphitheatre in May 2016.
But while forces allied to President Bashar al-Assad were focused on battling for the city of Aleppo in December, the militants returned and regained control.But while forces allied to President Bashar al-Assad were focused on battling for the city of Aleppo in December, the militants returned and regained control.
US-backed Iraqi forces have pushed the Islamic State group out of large swathes of northern Syria and Iraq in the past year and have been battling to retake the city of Mosul in northern Iraq since October.US-backed Iraqi forces have pushed the Islamic State group out of large swathes of northern Syria and Iraq in the past year and have been battling to retake the city of Mosul in northern Iraq since October.
On Wednesday, a Russian Defence Ministry official, Lt Gen Sergei Rudskoi, said the Mosul offensive was pushing IS fighters back into eastern Syria.On Wednesday, a Russian Defence Ministry official, Lt Gen Sergei Rudskoi, said the Mosul offensive was pushing IS fighters back into eastern Syria.
He said the Islamic State group was shipping large amounts of explosives to Palmyra in order to blow up more of the heritage site.He said the Islamic State group was shipping large amounts of explosives to Palmyra in order to blow up more of the heritage site.