Days after seizing control over Iraqi city of Ramadi, Islamic State (IS) has now taken over the Syrian city of Palmyra, which is home to some of the world's most ancient ruins.
As government troops retreated from the city following a lightening advance by IS, fear is being raised that the militants will destroy the ruins that have been designated as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO, reported the BBC.
The terror group had previously ravaged several ancient sites that pre-date Islam in Iraq, including Hatra and Nimrud.