The Islamic State on Wednesday seized control of the historic Syrian city of Palmyra after a weeklong siege, giving them control of a strategically advantageous city and endangering Palmyra's ancient ruins. ISIS has plundered or destroyed antiques after occupying other ancient sites in Syria and Iraq, and observers fear the same fate now awaits Palmyra's 2,000-year-old artifacts.
The fall of Palmyra marks the second time in a week ISIS has overrun a major city in the region. The militant group on Sunday forced Iraqi troops out of Ramadi, a development the White House cast as a mere "setback."
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