Video purports to show ISIL destroying ancient city of Nimrud

A video purporting to show Islamic State extremists destroying the ancient Iraqi city of Nimrud has been posted online.

In the video, militants use drills, sledgehammers and a bulldozer to destroy ancient stone reliefs and walls, before huge explosions can be seen. The video footage could not be independently verified by USA TODAY.

The Islamic State, also known as ISIL and ISIS, considers the artifacts to be idolatry.

The video, posted late Saturday, follows a statement from Iraq's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in March that the milit