MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The jihadists managed to seize the city following violent clashes and intense shelling with Syrian government forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
#IS control 30% of #Palmyra/Tadmur — sources say in control of State Security Directorate HQ. Museum in sight. Pics: pic.twitter.com/MkrnrUPTMJ
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) 20 мая 2015
"IS [ISIL] fighters seized the northern parts of the city, which amounts to a third of Palmyra."
"If only five members of IS go into the ancient buildings, they'll destroy everything." — Syria's antiquities director on #Palmyra
— Maya Gebeily (@GebeilyM) 20 мая 2015
Palmyra has been an epicenter of fierce battles between ISIL militants and Syrian troops for about a week. On Saturday, the militants managed to seize part of the city for a brief period of time.
#IS stormed government and state security Buildings in #Palmyra (Tadmour) killing at least 20 regime soldiers. #Homs #Syria
— ابو مصعب™ ∆المليزي∆ (@mos3ab___madina) 20 мая 2015
Palmyra is one of the most important cultural and archaeological sites in the Middle East and is included in the UNESCO world heritage list.
Photo circulating of #ISIS fighters in #Palmyra, Syria's ancient city, founded 2nd millennium BC. pic.twitter.com/BgNTkEPoMZ
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) 20 мая 2015
On May 14, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, expressed concern over fighting near Palmyra that threatens unique sites, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the area.
Here is an image via activists in #Palmyra showing roughly the state of play and areas under regime and #ISIS control pic.twitter.com/eT1Pl3v2xX
— Kareem Shaheen (@kshaheen) 20 мая 2015
