ISIS Says It Has “Full Control” of Ancient Palmyra

ISIS said it was in full control of the ancient city of Palmyra on Thursday following a bloody battle with Syrian pro-government forces, raising concerns the extremists might destroy the the city’s irreplaceable and historic ruins, including a Roman aqueduct and necropolises. In a statement released by the ISIS authority in Homs and distributed by the group's supporters on Twitter, ISIS announced the victory in Palmyra and said its fighters are in control of the "notorious" nearby prison and airport. While the city is home to a UNESCO world heritage site and famous for its 2,000-year-old ruins, other prizes in line for the Islamist militants to potentially plunder include military bases, weapons depots, and oil and gas facilities.

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