Islamic State takes ‘full control’ of ancient Syrian city of Palmyra

Islamic State fighters have entered the ruins of Palmyra after overnight fighting saw them take complete control of the historic city, according to a monitoring group. It is the first time the Islamic State has taken control of a city directly from the Syrian military and allied forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there has been no destruction so far at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes 2,000-year-old temples and colonnaded streets. It reported that IS now holds Palmyra’s military air base, prison and intelligence headquarters, meaning it controls over half of Syria’s total territory. More than 100 Syrian government troops were reported to have been killed in the clashes.

The Islamic State organization has now established almost complete control over the area from Palmyra to the Syrian-Iraqi border and onwards to the Syrian-Jordanian frontier.

Rami Abdul Rahman, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Pro-government forces have now withdrawn from Palmyra, according to Syrian state media. Hundreds of artifacts were taken to safer locations ahead of the Islamic State offensive, but many larger items could not be moved. The ancient city, once a Silk Road hub and a cultural center of the ancient world, is home to some of the most beautiful and well-preserved ruins of antiquity, including the Temple of Bel, built in the first century. Syrian antiquities director Maamoun Abdulkarim warned that IS fighters would “destroy everything” if they seized Palmyra. The militant group has already destroyed antiquities at the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud and the Roman-era city of Hatra.

It is highly significant on a cultural level, as Palmyra is one of the great jewels of the world.

Syrian antiquities director Maamoun Abdulkarim

World Palmyra