Islamic State Takes Control of Ancient Syrian City of Palmyra, Decapitates Fighters in Streets

The Islamic State terror group reportedly gained full control of the Syrian city of Palmyra this week, just one week after gaining control of the Iraqi city of Ramadi.

The terror group reportedly overtook the 2,000-year-old city that is revered by archaeologists for its historic treasures. A U.S. official also confirmed that the jihadist group gained control of a nearby military base and prison.

According to the BBC, Unesco's director-general, Irina Bokova, released a statement saying destruction of the historic Palmyra city would be "not just a war crime but [...] an enormous loss to humanity".

"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," she added.

Bokova added that several ancient artworks and relics being kept at Palmyra are in danger of destruction or trafficking for funds by the terror group.

"These are not some lovers of art," she said of the violent jihadist group. "This is part of the financing of extremism and it is absolutely imperative that we stop these channels of illicit trafficking, of looting."

The Telegraph reports Thursday that the terror group also began beheading pro-Assad regime fighters in the Palmyra region after overtaking the historic city.

Photos shared from the city show at least four pro-government fighters lying in a pool of blood in the streets of Palmyra, decapitated.

Last week, Iraqi officials announced that the Islamic State had successfully overtaken the city of Ramadi, the capital of the country's largest province of Anbar.