On Sunday, the Syrian government said its forces had retaken the desert city of Palmyra, in the centre of Syria.
The self-declared Islamic State seized the city in May of last year -- and soon unleashed a wave of destruction on its defenders, inhabitants and archaeological treasures.
In September last year, shocking images were released of the destruction wrought by Isis upon Palmyra's most treasured artefacts, including the 2,000-year-old Temple of Bel and the Arch of Triumph, which were left in ruins.
After the recapture, photographs have emerged showing the damage the terrorist group has inflicted on the ancient city.
IMAGE: The old citadel of Palmyra is pictured in the background after forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad recaptured the city, in Homs. All Photographs: SANA/Handout via Reuters
IMAGE: Islamic State militants unleashed terror in Palmyra, destroying several structures and antiquities.
IMAGE: A photograph showing damaged artefacts inside the museum of the historic city of Palmyra, after forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad recaptured the city.
IMAGE: The city, a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage site, was occupied by the IS for 10 months.
IMAGE: However, Syria’s antiquities chief Maamoun Abdulkarim was quoted as saying by news agencies that they were expecting the worst, but much of the ancient city’s ruins remain intact.
IMAGE: A general view inside the historic city of Palmyra. Palmyra was the capital of an Arab client state of the Roman Empire that briefly rebelled and carved out its own kingdom in the 3rd Century, led by Queen Zenobia. Before the war, it was Syria’s top tourist attraction.
IMAGE: Last year, the IS destroyed the Temple of Bel, which dated back to AD 32, and the Temple of Baalshamin, a structure of stone blocks several stories high fronted by six towering columns. The militants also blew up the Arch of Triumph, which had been built under the Roman emperor Septimius Severus between AD 193 and AD 211. UNESCO says it has planned to evaluate the extent of the damage soon.
IMAGE: A banner belonging to the Islamic court of the Islamic State is seen on the ground after forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad recaptured Palmyra city.
