Islamic State Destroys Artifacts in Historic Christian Town of Mosul

A recent video uploaded by the Islamic State shows militants destroying valuable Iraqi artifacts in the town of Mosul, an ancient city rich in Christian history.

The United Nations' world heritage organization UNESCO has reportedly called an emergency meeting following the video's publication. The meeting is meant to determine how UNESCO and other groups can preserve Iraqi history against the attack of the Islamic State.

The video shows Islamic State militants using sledgehammers to destroy artifacts believed to be in a museum in Mosul, as well as artifacts at the archaeological site known as Nergal Gate.

"This attack is far more than a cultural tragedy. This is also a security issue as it fuels sectarianism, violent extremism and conflict in Iraq," Unesco head Irina Bokova said in a statement.

In the video, one black-clad militant tells the camera: "It is easy for us [to destroy these artifacts], and we do not care, even if they cost billions of dollars."

The militants also use drills to destroy the rubble from the artifacts while an Islamic chant plays in the background.

The video has sparked international outrage, with Iraqi archaeologist and Iraqi associate fellow at the London-based Institute of Archaeology Lamia al-Gailani telling The Sydney Morning Herald: "It's not only Iraq's heritage: it's the whole world's."

"They are priceless, unique. It's unbelievable. I don't want to be Iraqi any more," she added.

Mosul is one of the towns occupied by the Islamic State since they declared a caliphate in 2014. Along with destroying Iraqi history, the terrorist group has also demanded all non-Muslims to pay a tax, as well as covered the bodies of mannequins in store windows to abide by the strict Shariah teaching on the bodily form.