Beirut, May 25 (IANS): At least 217 people have been executed since May 16 by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in the east of the Syrian province of Homs, where the ancient city of Palmyra is located, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

The London-based NGO reported on Monday that IS militants killed dozens of civilians, including women and children, adding that nearly 600 people are also being held captive by the jihadi group, according to Efe news agency.

A reported 67 of the 217 victims were civilians, including 14 children and 12 women, all killed in the city of al-Sikhni, al-Aamiriyyi village, Palmyra, and neighbouring military facilities, while five nurses were also killed in Palmyra.

IS militants executed 150 regime soldiers, national defence troops and militiamen, most of whom were beheaded.

Syrian television reported on Sunday that at least 400 people, mostly women, children, and elderly people, were slaughtered by the extremists in Palmyra, which has been under IS control since Wednesday.

IS militants launched an offensive against eastern Homs on May 13, and have since gained control over much of the territory.