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| Syria civil war: Palmyra damage in pictures | Syria civil war: Palmyra damage in pictures |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| New images have emerged from Palmyra, hours after Syrian troops recaptured it from the Islamic State group (IS). | New images have emerged from Palmyra, hours after Syrian troops recaptured it from the Islamic State group (IS). |
| The pictures reveal the extent of destruction wrought by the group during their 10-month occupation of the Unesco World Heritage site. | The pictures reveal the extent of destruction wrought by the group during their 10-month occupation of the Unesco World Heritage site. |
| While some treasured monuments have been destroyed, much of the ancient city's ruins are said to remain intact. | While some treasured monuments have been destroyed, much of the ancient city's ruins are said to remain intact. |
| Syria's antiquities chief Maamoun Abdulkarim said authorities had been "expecting the worst". | Syria's antiquities chief Maamoun Abdulkarim said authorities had been "expecting the worst". |
| But he told the AFP news agency that "the landscape, in general, is in good shape". | But he told the AFP news agency that "the landscape, in general, is in good shape". |
| President Bashar al-Assad hailed the recapture of Palmyra from IS as an "important achievement" in the "war on terrorism". | President Bashar al-Assad hailed the recapture of Palmyra from IS as an "important achievement" in the "war on terrorism". |
| Military sources say the Syrian army now has "full control" after days of fighting backed by Russian air strikes. | Military sources say the Syrian army now has "full control" after days of fighting backed by Russian air strikes. |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Mr Assad, a Kremlin spokesman said. | Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Mr Assad, a Kremlin spokesman said. |
| The Kremlin said President Assad knew the Palmyra operation "would have been impossible without Russia's support". | The Kremlin said President Assad knew the Palmyra operation "would have been impossible without Russia's support". |
| Boost in fight against IS | |
| Why IS militants destroy ancient sites | Why IS militants destroy ancient sites |
| Palmyra and the logic of loss | Palmyra and the logic of loss |
| IS seized the Unesco World Heritage site and modern town in May 2015. Soon after, they killed the archaeologist who looked after the ruins for 40 years. | IS seized the Unesco World Heritage site and modern town in May 2015. Soon after, they killed the archaeologist who looked after the ruins for 40 years. |
| Palmyra is situated in a strategically important area on the road between the capital, Damascus, and the contested eastern city of Deir al-Zour. | Palmyra is situated in a strategically important area on the road between the capital, Damascus, and the contested eastern city of Deir al-Zour. |
| When IS seized the city it destroyed archaeological sites, provoking global outrage. Two 2,000-year-old temples, an arch and funerary towers were left in ruins. | When IS seized the city it destroyed archaeological sites, provoking global outrage. Two 2,000-year-old temples, an arch and funerary towers were left in ruins. |
| The jihadist group, which has also demolished several pre-Islamic sites in neighbouring Iraq, believes that such structures are idolatrous. | The jihadist group, which has also demolished several pre-Islamic sites in neighbouring Iraq, believes that such structures are idolatrous. |
| The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said at least 400 IS fighters were killed in the battle for Palmyra. | The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said at least 400 IS fighters were killed in the battle for Palmyra. |
| In a statement released on Saturday, Russia's defence ministry said its strikes hit 158 IS targets, killing more than 100 militants. | In a statement released on Saturday, Russia's defence ministry said its strikes hit 158 IS targets, killing more than 100 militants. |
| Ancient city of Palmyra | Ancient city of Palmyra |
| Palmyra: Blowing ruins to rubble | Palmyra: Blowing ruins to rubble |