ISIS controls most of Syrian city near Palmyra ruins, activists say

ISIS militants on Wednesday stormed a central Syrian city that’s just meters from the ancient ruins of Palmyra, activists said.

ISIS fighters entered Tadmur, the Arabic name for the modern city with thousands of residents at the Palmyra site, after days of fighting with Syrian government forces in the area over the past week, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Militants controlled most of the city by the evening and had taken over Tadmur’s prison, the observatory said. Meanwhile, Syrian government forces reportedly have retreated to the city’s security headquarters, and clashes with ISIS are ongoing.

Palmyra’s centuries-old remains of temples and other structures are a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Homs countryside northeast of Damascus.

United Nations and Syrian officials have expressed fears that ISIS aims to destroy the ruins, just as it bulldozed the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud and took sledgehammers to statues in Iraq’s Mosul Museum.

Palmyra: Will ISIS bulldoze ancient Syrian city?

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said she was deeply concerned about reports of the battles.

UNSPECIFIED - FEBRUARY 07: Old ruins of a temple, Temple Of Baal Shamen, Palmyra, Syria (Photo by DEA/G.DAGLI ORTI/De Agostini/Getty Images)

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Related gallery The ruins of Palmyra

“The fighting is putting at risk one of the most significant sites in the Middle East, and its civilian population,” she said.

“I reiterate my appeal for an immediate cessation of hostilities at the site,” Bokova said. “I further call on the international community to do everything in its power to protect the affected civilian population and safeguard the unique cultural heritage of Palmyra.

“Finally, it is imperative that all parties respect international obligations to protect cultural heritage during conflict, by avoiding direct targeting, as well as use for military purposes.”

The Islamist militants of ISIS have captured parts of Syria and Iraq in campaigns of violence and barbarity, slaughtering not only those who fight them but also conquering civilians who don’t adhere to their extreme brand of Islam.

As it has conquered territory, it has destroyed archaeological sites, claiming that it considers all religious shrines idolatrous.

Opinion: Why ISIS destroys antiquities

Syria’s state-run news agency, SANA, reported that heavy clashes were taking place in Tadmur’s northern neighborhoods, but that security forces repelled ISIS in the rest of the city.

‘Would be a loss for the entire world’

Between the first and second centuries A.D., Palmyra “stood at the crossroads of several civilizations,” with its art and architecture mixing Greek, Roman and Persian influences, UNESCO says.

The city already was a caravan oasis when Romans overtook it in the mid-first century A.D. Its importance grew as a city on the trade route linking the Roman Empire to Persia, India and China, UNESCO says.

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Related video Ancient Syrian city of Palmyra threatened by ISIS

British historian and novelist Tom Holland described Palmyra as “an extraordinary fusion of classical and Iranian influences intermixed with various Arab influence as well.”

The destruction of Palmyra wouldn’t just be a tragedy for Syria, it would be a loss for the entire world, he told CNN this month.

“This isn’t just about Middle Eastern history; these are the wellsprings of the entire global culture,” he said. “Mesopotamia, Iraq, Syria, this is the wellspring of global civilization. It really couldn’t be higher stakes in terms of conservation.”

This is not the first time ancient sites have been destroyed during Syria’s brutal four-year civil war, in which ISIS is one of the belligerents.

Notable casualties include 11th century crusader castle Crac des Chevaliers; its walls were severely damaged by regime airstrikes in 2013.

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. The fabled desert oasis saw its last tourist in September 2011, six months after the Syrian uprising began. It is feared that the ancient city is now under threat from the ISIS militant group.

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Aleppo Souk, a formerly thriving part of Syria’s economic and social life, was severely damaged in a fire in 2012.

“What is distinctive and horrendous about (ISIS’) mode of operation is that they are deliberately going out of their way to destroy (ancient artifacts),” Holland said.

ISIS propaganda claims the Islamist militants are destroying idols or false gods and following in the footsteps of the Prophet Mohammed, who smashed statues in Mecca.

But ISIS also sells artifacts for huge profits.

“They have networks that allow them to traffic in cultural treasures. They have made tens of millions of dollars selling artworks,” said London School of Economics professor Fawaz Gerges, author of the forthcoming book, “ISIS: A Short History.”

ISIS bulldozes ruins of ancient city of Nimrud

Great Mosque of Samarra —

Once the largest mosques in the world, built in the 9th century on the Tigris River north of Baghdad. The mosque is famous for the Malwiya Tower, a 52-meter minaret with spiraling ramps for worshipers to climb. The site was bombed in 2005, in an insurgent attack on a NATO position, destroying the top of the minaret and surrounding walls.
Video: ISIS targets historical artifacts

Palmyra, Syria —

An "oasis in the Syrian desert" according to UNESCO, this Aramaic city has stood since the second millennium BC and featured some of the most advanced architecture of the period. The site subsequently evolved through Greco-Roman and Persian periods, providing unique historic insight into those cultures. ISIS now controls the ancient city and has destroyed shrines, temples and monuments.

The Buddhas of Bamiyan, Afghanistan —

The most spectacular legacy of Buddhism in the war-torn country, among the tallest standing Buddhas in the world -- the larger at 53 meters, the other 35 -- had survived over 1,500 years since being carved out of sandstone. The Taliban considered the monuments idolatrous and destroyed them with dynamite.

Sanaa old city, Yemen —

Yemen's capital city of Sanaa has seen several suicide bombings for which ISIS claimed responsibility, and air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition -- although it is unclear who is responsible to the latest damage. These have affected both the old fortified city -- inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1986 -- and the archaeological site of the pre-Islamic walled city of Baraqish, causing "severe damage," according to UNESCO itself.

The ancient city of Bosra, Syria —

Continually inhabited for 2,500 years, and became the capital of the Romans' Arabian empire. The centerpiece is a magnificent Roman theater dating back to the second century that survived intact until the current conflict. Archaeologists have revealed the site is now severely damaged from mortar shelling.

The Great Mosque of Aleppo, Syria —

A world heritage site originally built in 715 by the Umayyad dynasty, ranking it among the oldest mosques in the world. The epic structure evolved through successive eras, gaining its famous minaret in the late 11th century. This was reduced to rubble in the Syrian civil war in 2013, along with serious damage to the walls and courtyard, which historians have described as the worst ever damage to Syrian heritage.

Norias of Hama, Syria —

These 20-meter wide water wheels were first documented in the 5th century, representing an ingenious early irrigation system. Seventeen of the wooden norias (a machine for lifting water into an aqueduct) survived to present day and became Hama's primary tourist attraction, noted for their groaning sounds as they turned. Heritage experts documented several wheels being burned by fighters in 2014.

Citadel of Aleppo, Syria —

The fortress spans at least four millennia, from the days of Alexander the Great, through Roman, Mongol, and Ottoman rule. The site has barely changed since the 16th century and is one of Syria's most popular World Heritage sites. The citadel has been used as an army base in recent fighting and several of its historic buildings have been destroyed.

Aleppo Souk, Syria —

The covered markets in the Old City are a famous trade center for the region's finest produce, with dedicated sub-souks for fabrics, food, or accessories. The tunnels became the scene of fierce fighting and many of the oldest are now damaged beyond recognition, which Unesco has described as a tragedy.

Deir Ez-zor bridge, Syria —

This French-built suspension bridge was a popular pedestrian crossing and vantage point for its views of the Euphrates River. It became a key supply line in a battle for the city, and collapsed under shelling. Deir Ez-zor's Siyasiyeh Bridge was also destroyed.

Nimrud, Iraq —

The ancient Assyrian city around Nineveh Province, Iraq was home to countless treasures of the empire, including statues, monuments and jewels. Following the 2003 invasion the site has been devastated by looting, with many of the stolen pieces finding homes in museums abroad.

Crac des Chevaliers, Syria —

The Crusader castle from the 11th century survived centuries of battles and natural disasters, becoming a World Heritage site in 2006 along with the adjacent castle of Qal'at Salah El-Din. The walls were severely damaged by regime airstrikes and artillery in 2013, and rebels took positions within it.

Jonah's Tomb, Iraq —

The purported resting place of biblical prophet Jonah, along with a tooth believed to be from the whale that consumed him. The site dated to the 8th century BC, and was of great importance to Christian and Muslim faiths. It was entirely blown up by ISIS militants in 2014 as part of their campaign against perceived apostasy.

Khaled Ibn Walid Mosque, Syria —

Among Syria's most famous Ottoman-style mosques, which also shows Mamluk influence through its light and dark contrasts. The vast site became a hub of the battle for Homs, itself a front-line of the conflict. The sacred mausoleum has been completely destroyed, and much of the interiors burned.

Armenian genocide museum, Syria —

Memorial site to the 1.5 million killed between 1915 and 1923, the Deir Ez-zor became a yearly destination for pilgrims from around the world. The site included a church, museum, and fire that burned continuously. The complex was destroyed by ISIS in 2014.

Cyrene, Libya —

A key city for the Greeks and Romans, established in 630 BC. Famed as the basis for enduring myths and legends, such as that of the huntress heroine of the same name and bride of Apollo. The ruins were some of the best preserved from that period, but in the wake of Libya's revolution, vast tracts have been bulldozed including its unique necropolis complex.

Museum of Islamic Art, Egypt —

Home to one of the world's most impressive collections, with over 100,000 pieces that cover the entirety of Islamic history. The Cairo site was first built in 1881, the museum recently underwent an eight-year multi-million dollar renovation. Shortly after re-opening, a car bomb targeting a nearby police building caused catastrophic damage and forced the museum to close again.

Quaid e Azam residency, Pakistan —

This 121-year-old wooden building, humble but elegant, was home to the nation's first governor general Muhammed Ali Jinnah for the last phase of his life. The residency was attacked with rocket fire by a separatist group in 2013, and almost completely demolished. A new structure is being built on the site.

'Old Beirut', Lebanon —

A 15-year civil war of incredible brutality, successive battles with Israel, and sweeping urban development has robbed the 'Paris of the Middle East' of much of its visual lustre. Once known for its landscape of swaggering Ottoman, French and Art Deco architecture, officials say just 400 of 1200 protected historic buildings remain.

The Great mosque of al-Nuri, Mosul —

Before-and-after photographs of the destruction. The US and ISIS trade blame for its loss.

Precious monuments lost in Middle East

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CNN’s Pierre Meilhan contributed to this report.