Islamic State jihadis have mined the spectacular ancient ruins in Syria’s Palmyra, according to an antiquities official and monitor, prompting fears for the Unesco world heritage site a month after the extremist group overran the central Syrian city.
IS took control of the ancient city last month, prompting fears the group would destroy the 2,000-year-old Roman-era ruins.
They have already destroyed ancient sites in Iraq - most recently the ancient city of Nimrud, one of Iraq's greatest archaeological treasures.
Government forces are reported to be planning a bid to recapture the site.
The director of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told reporters that Syrian soldiers outside the city have brought in reinforcements in recent days, suggesting they may be planning an operation to retake Palmyra.
Maamoun Abdulkarim, Syria's head of antiquities, told the Reuters news agency "
The city is a hostage in their hands, the situation is dangerous"
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33216305
http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...-palmyra-ruins
