New video shows Islamic State destroying ancient archaeological site

There has been international condemnation of the destruction of one of the world's most important archaeological sites by members of Islamic State.

A new video posted online appears to show militants destroying the ancient Iraqi city of Nimrud - thought to be more than 3,000 years old.

It shows militants smashing up artefacts with hammers and bulldozers - before blowing up the city walls with explosives.

Middle East expert Professor Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics explained why the group are carrying out such attacks.

"They have a puritanical sense of an ideology, an ideology that really believes in cultural cleansing," he said.

"Not just people, but even art and culture. They want to purify the land."