ISIL blows up ancient shrines near Syria's Palmyra

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group says it has destroyed two ancient shrines close to the Syrian city of Palmyra, seized by the armed group a month ago.

Photographs posted online appeared to show the shrines being blown up and reduced to rubble. 

It was the first reported damage to ancient sites since ISIL captured Palmyra, known as Tadmur in Arabic and famed for its UNESCO-listed Roman ruins.

Pictures showed smoke rising from the hilltop tomb of Mohammed Bin Ali, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad's cousin, Imam Ali.

The second shrine was built over 500 years ago for a Sufi scholar known as Nizar Abu Bahaa Eddine.

In a statement, ISIL vowed to destroy statues and shrines, which it regards as idolatrous.

ALJAZEERA