Palmyra, (Syria) May 21 (IANS/AKI) The Islamic State terrorists have already begun damaging the Unesco World Heritage site of Palmyra in Syria since they seized the 18 centuries old city, according to a report from the region.
Palmyra's remaining residents heard "large explosions" inside the ancient temples, according to the Samanews website, which is close to Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Most local people have left the area, the report said.
Unesco said any destruction to Palmyra would be "not just a war crime but...an enormous loss to humanity".
More From This Section
"It's the birthplace of human civilisation. It belongs to the whole of humanity and I think everyone today should be worried about what is happening," said Unesco's director-general Irina Bokova in a video statement.
Rising out of the desert, Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world, according to Unesco.
Authorities managed to remove around 100 statues before IS fighters reached the Roman-era archaeological site on the city's southwestern edge.
Syrian state television reported that army troops and pro-government militias withdrew after evacuating the remaining civilian residents from the city.
The IS offensive against Palmyra started on May 13. The group has since captured the towns of Sukhneh and Amiriyeh and the al-Hail and Arak oil fields.
Dating back to the 1st and 2nd Century, Palmyra rose to prominence when the region was under Roman rule. Its grand, colonnaded street and ancient temples previously attracted thousands of tourists.
IS sparked international outrage this year when they destroyed ancient sites in Iraq that pre-date Islam, notably Hatra and Nimrud and smashed artefacts in the museum of Mosul.
--IANS/AKI
ahm/vt