Islamic State militants overran the famed archaeological site at Palmyra early on Thursday, just hours after seizing the central Syrian town, activists and officials said, raising concerns the extremists might destroy some of the priceless ruins as they have done in neighboring Iraq.
IS Fighters Take Control of Palmyra, Ancient Ruins
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A picture taken on March 14, 2014 shows Syrian citizens walking in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra, 215 kilometres northeast of Damascus.
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This photo released on Sunday, May 17, 2015, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows the general view of the ancient Roman city of Palmyra, northeast of Damascus, Syria.
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Arch and remaining columns of Palmyra, a pre-Christian trade center and oasis northeast of Damascus, photographed by Christian Sahner before the Syrian conflict began.
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Frieze of a warrior and an angel of the wall of the Greco-Roman ruins of Palmyra, a major trade center in 44 BC, photographed by Christian Sahner before the Syrian conflict began.