ISIS video shows children simultaneously executing prisoners with shot to the head

Child executioners wielding pistols await the order to fire on a group of captured Syrian soldiers in Palmyra in this screenshot of a video released on Twitter by a group linked to ISIS. (Twitter)

A new video released recently on social media by the Islamic State shows children brutally executing more than 25 people described as soldiers of the Syrian regime in the ancient city of Palmyra.

The child executioners, who appear to be between the ages of 12 and 13, wore desert camouflage uniform and brown bandannas.

They stood behind the soldiers who were lined up on their knees on the stage of a Roman amphitheatre.

ISIS fighters can be seen either standing or sitting on top of the ancient ruins, watching over the crowd as they wait for the command to open fire.

An ISIS leader talks to the audience before giving the command to the child executioners to kill the alleged regime soldiers simultaneously by shooting them in the back of the head.

The footage of the slaughter was published online over the weekend through Twitter accounts allegedly connected to ISIS.

The jihadists publicly killed a group of men in the city amphitheatre in late May just after they seized it from government forces, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The men were accused of being part of government forces, said the monitoring group.

ISIS often uses children, tagged as "caliphate cubs," as suicide bombers, soldiers and executioners in their bid to spread terror in and out of the Middle East, The Daily Mail wrote.

The group has taken at least 500 children in the previous weeks from Iraq's Anbar and Diyala provinces, taking them to the group's bases where the children are made to train for use in "terror attacks."

"They use children because it is easy to brainwash them," said Rami Abdulrahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory. "They can build these children into what they want. They stop them from going to school and send them to IS schools instead."

According to the Syrian Observatory, while some children are abducted to be trained as fighters, others have been recruited with their parents' approval as part of a "military training exercise."

Children with birth defects are believed to be used by the ISIS as human shields, blood donors for wounded fighters, and suicide bombers.

related articles
ISIS extends reach to Russia, challenging al-Qaeda as world\'s top jihadist movement
ISIS extends reach to Russia, challenging al-Qaeda as world's top jihadist movement

ISIS extends reach to Russia, challenging al-Qaeda as world's top jihadist movement

ISIS could smuggle fighters, weapons into US via Mexican tunnels, says ex-FBI agent
ISIS could smuggle fighters, weapons into US via Mexican tunnels, says ex-FBI agent

ISIS could smuggle fighters, weapons into US via Mexican tunnels, says ex-FBI agent

ISIS executes 160 children and women for refusing to fast during Ramadan, sorcery
ISIS executes 160 children and women for refusing to fast during Ramadan, sorcery

ISIS executes 160 children and women for refusing to fast during Ramadan, sorcery

ISIS prisoners executed by fighters from rival group wearing orange jumpsuits
ISIS prisoners executed by fighters from rival group wearing orange jumpsuits

ISIS prisoners executed by fighters from rival group wearing orange jumpsuits

ISIS destroys 2,000-year-old statue, other artefacts as part of its \'cultural cleansing\'
ISIS destroys 2,000-year-old statue, other artefacts as part of its 'cultural cleansing'

ISIS destroys 2,000-year-old statue, other artefacts as part of its 'cultural cleansing'

Two missing British girls who flew to Syria tell parents they\'re now ISIS \'jihadi brides\'
Two missing British girls who flew to Syria tell parents they're now ISIS 'jihadi brides'

Two missing British girls who flew to Syria tell parents they're now ISIS 'jihadi brides'

US-led airstrikes hammer ISIS \'capital\' in bid to weaken its ability to move its forces
US-led airstrikes hammer ISIS 'capital' in bid to weaken its ability to move its forces

US-led airstrikes hammer ISIS 'capital' in bid to weaken its ability to move its forces

Sheikh who taught ISIS jihadists asks for Bible, says he\'s \'sick of the killing\'
Sheikh who taught ISIS jihadists asks for Bible, says he's 'sick of the killing'

Sheikh who taught ISIS jihadists asks for Bible, says he's 'sick of the killing'

Campaign vs. \'opportunistic, nimble\' ISIS  to last for generations — President Obama
Campaign vs. 'opportunistic, nimble' ISIS to last for generations — President Obama

Campaign vs. 'opportunistic, nimble' ISIS to last for generations — President Obama

ISIS recaptures key city from Kurds as jihadists fire rockets into southern Israel
ISIS recaptures key city from Kurds as jihadists fire rockets into southern Israel

ISIS recaptures key city from Kurds as jihadists fire rockets into southern Israel

ISIS blows up historic Mosul church, four children killed
ISIS blows up historic Mosul church, four children killed

ISIS blows up historic Mosul church, four children killed

News
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight

The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has come under pressure over her handling of past safeguarding cases. 

Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial

A leading figure among conservative evangelical Anglicans will not stand trial for alleged abuse, it has emerged.

Church of England bishops delay final decision on same-sex blessings
Church of England bishops delay final decision on same-sex blessings

The Church of England's House of Bishops has postponed a final decision on the Living in Love and Faith process as it continues to work on proposals. 

Faith in the festive chaos: how you can sustain your family’s faith this Christmas
Faith in the festive chaos: how you can sustain your family’s faith this Christmas

Anna Hawken, Parenting for Faith from BRF Ministries, has some helpful tips for families to connect with God in the midst of the "December tornado".