ABOVE: Footage taken on Wednesday by China Central TV shows the ancient city of Palmyra under attack from Islamic State militants in Syria before they took control of the city in the early hours of Thursday morning
Islamic State extremists have seized control of the ancient Syrian town of Palmyra, putting 2,000-year-old towering Roman-era colonnades at risk.
ISIS militants have a history of destroying ancient artifacts and monuments as it moves through Middle Eastern cities.
And Palmyra is rife with ancient ruins. The site has been named a UNESCO world heritage site and, according to the UNESCO website, “contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world.”
“From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences,” according to the website.
The website goes on to say the rediscovery of the city in the 18th century led to the subsequent revival of “classical architectural styles and urban design.”
UNESCO chief Irina Bokova urged both ISIS and allied fighters to respect the ruins during the conflict.
Before the war started, the city played host to thousands of tourists each year and was known as the “Bride of the Desert.”
ISIS has destroyed several shrines – including Muslim holy sites – in order to eliminate what the group considers heresy or idolatry. The destruction of ancient artifacts in the Iraqi city of Mosul enraged the international community in February.
Syria’s director-general of antiquities and museums Maamoun Abdulkarim said in an interview with the Associated Press that he’s “terrified” the city might be destroyed.
Some artifacts have been saved. Talal Barazi, the governor of the central Syrian province of Homs, said many of the “most precious and beautiful” pieces from Palmyra were moved to safe houses in Damascus as government officials and civilians fled ISIS militants.
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