Maamoun Abdulkarim

The Islamic State recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra in December for the second time. The Syrian Army although fought bravely, they were not able to defend the the city.

According to Reuters, the ISIS has destroyed at least a part of the Tetrapylon, the Roman amphitheater. The Syrian administrator of Antiquities, archaeologist Maamoun Abdulkarim confirmed the sad news.

Syria's antiquities chief said on March 28 that his department would need five years to restore the ancient ruins of Palmyra damaged by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), while Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes battled ISIL around Palmyra, trying to extend their gains.

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants on Aug. 23 blew up the ancient temple of Baal Shamin in the UNESCO-listed Syrian city of Palmyra, an official said, the latest in a series of cultural relics to be destroyed by the jihadist group.

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants beheaded an antiquities scholar in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra and hung his body on a column in a main square of the historic site, Syria's antiquities chief said on Aug. 18.

Islamic State of Iraq and the Leavnt (ISIL) militants have laid landmines and explosives at the site of the ancient ruins in Syria?s Palmyra, a monitor said June 21, adding the purpose of the move was unclear.

The head of Syria?s antiquities department, reached by phone in Damascus, said he had also received reports from Palmyra residents that mines were laid at the site.