Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Syria, was considered one of the world’s most complete Roman archaeological sites. In May of 2015, ISIS militants captured the city and set about destroying many of its artifacts.
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STRINGER
A general view taken on March 27, 2016 shows part of the ancient city of Palmyra.
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President Bashar al-Assad hailed the victory as an “important achievement.”
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Palmyra’s famed theater was made famous again under ISIS rule, as it was used as a staging ground for its public executions.
One of the more gruesome murders committed by the militants was of 82-year-old Khaled Asaad, the famed archaeologist. He was reportedly tortured for a month before being put to death in order to extract the locations of valuable ancient treasure.
ISIS militants made news in Palmyra when it surfaced in October of 2015 that they had blown up the city’s famed Arch of Triumph.
Syrian pro-government forces walk on a street in the ancient city of Palmyra on March 27, 2016, after troops recaptured the city from the Islamic State (IS) group.
A picture taken on March 27, 2016, shows heavily damaged buildings in a residential neighbourhood of the modern town of Palmyra.
Like many cities in Syria, years of civil war has left Palmyra badly scarred.
A flag belonging to the Islamic State fighters is seen on a motorbike after forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad recaptured the historic city of Palmyra.
A general view shows the damage at the Citadel Hotel.
As Palmyra returns from the hands of ISIS, many wonder what state its archaelogical treasures will be in.
A view shows a damaged artefact at the entrance of the museum of the historic city of Palmyra.
Reuters
A member of the Syrian pro-government forces flashes the V-sign in a residential neighbourhood of the modern town of Palmyra.
