Syrian government forces backed by heavy Russian air support drove Islamic State out of Palmyra on Sunday, inflicting what the army called a mortal blow to militants who seized the city last year and dynamited its ancient temples.
Syrian government forces backed by heavy Russian air support drove Islamic State out of Palmyra on Sunday, inflicting what the army called a mortal blow to militants who seized the city last year and dynamited its ancient temples.
"Palmyra was demolished more than once through the centuries ... and we will restore it anew so it will be a treasure of cultural heritage for the world," Syrian television quoted Assad as saying.
Islamic State militants dynamited several monuments last year, and Syrian television broadcast footage from inside Palmyra museum on Sunday showing toppled and damaged statues, as well as several smashed display cases.
Syria's antiquities chief said other ancient landmarks were still standing and pledged to restore the damaged monuments.
"Palmyra has been liberated. This is the end of the destruction in Palmyra," Mamoun Abdelkarim told Reuters on Sunday. "How many times did we cry for Palmyra? How many times did we feel despair? But we did not lose hope."
(Image credit - AFP)
1. Early mentions of Palmyra date back to 2nd century BC
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A general view taken on March 27, 2016 shows part of the ancient city of Palmyra, after government troops recaptured the UNESCO world heritage site from the Islamic State (IS) group.
2. Remains of Palmyra
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President Bashar al-Assad hailed the victory as an "important achievement" as his Russian counterpart and key backer Vladimir Putin congratulated Damascus for retaking the UNESCO world heritage site.
3. After taking control ISIS destroyed the heritage
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A general view taken on March 27, 2016 shows the theatre in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, after government troops recaptured the UNESCO world heritage site from Islamic State (IS) group jihadists on March 27, 2016.
4. 2000 year old artifacts were destryoed
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A general view taken on March 27, 2016 shows the theatre in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, after government troops recaptured the UNESCO world heritage site from Islamic State (IS) group jihadists on March 27, 2016.
5. Arc de Triomph (Triumph Arc)
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A general view taken on March 27, 2016 shows part of the remains of the Arc de Triomph (Triumph Arc) monument that was destroyed by Islamic State (IS)
6. Islamic State (IS) group jihadists took over Palmyra in October 2015
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Islamic State (IS) group jihadists took over the ancient Syrian city in October 2015
7. Syria's antiquities chief Maamoun Abdelkarim points at a model of the Bel Temple
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Syria's antiquities chief hailed the "imminent" recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra from the IS group and vowed to rebuild the famed monuments the jihadists have destroyed
8. Aerial shot of Palmyra
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A screengrab made on March 27, 2016 from pictures shot by a Russian drone and released by the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGRTK) shows a part of the ancient city of Palmyra, recaptured by Syrian troops from the Islamic state.
