what is the latest you are hearing around palmyra?dam: most reports are now suggesting the islamic state group is in complete control of the city, that includes the last remaining government strong posts. until last night that was namely the prison onand intelligence headquarters as long as the airfield. it seems that group is in control of those as well. worth pointing out that most civilians have been evacuated from the city, that is some 70,000 people. the population of palmyra or tadmur as it is also known. the population is swelled by refugees from fighting in nearby areas. the death toll is at over 47 0 that includes upwards of 150 islamic state fighters. a large number of government soldiers, as many as 100 killed overnight. and then dozens of civilians who have been killed, as many as 50 of whom were executed sometime last week coming from -- civilians from villages in the area surrounding the town. those executions would have been part of the reason that the civilian population was so decisively evacuated. eve: the takeover d

palmyra is a globally amazing place.nade of palmyra, basically an avenue of giant columns built. they stretch for more than half a mile. they link to this, the temple of bell. which was a main place of warship and there is this roman theater. look at that. it was built in the 2nd century, never fully completed. palmyra is just full of very, very notable pieces of great archeological significance and great beauty. giant structures that you immediately spot as you approach the city. it's in syria, it's 130 miles northeast of damascus. a city of epic ruins on an epic scale. before the start of the civil war in syria, the ancient city of palmyra was syria's top tourist attraction. drawing thousands of people to its oasis and arclogical sites this year. earlier this week, there were reports isis made it towards palmyra. yesterday, there were reports they entered palmyra. today we got the news isis has taken control of the city. both the modern part and the ancient part. palmyra was overrun by isis militants. there are reports

the seizing of palmyra in syria comes as the u.s. has launched air strikes and expedited weapons shipments for the campaign to dislodge isil from the iraqi city of ramadi. isil seized ramadi on sunday leaving hundreds dead and forcing thousands to flee. iranian-backed shiite militias are staging a counteroffensive to retake the city. we'll have more on isil's gains in iraq and syria later in the broadcast. malaysia and indonesia have offered temporary refuge to up to 7000 migrants stranded in boats off their coast. the malaysian foreign minister announced the move wednesday. >> agreed to provide humanitarian assistance to those 7000 migrants still at sea. we also agree to offer them temporary shelter provided the settlement and repatriation process will be done in one year by the international community. amy: the migrants are mostly bangladeshis and persecuted rohingya muslims from burma, who are not considered citizens in burma and are effectively stateless. the cap of 7000 means thousands more could remain stranded at sea. thailand

site of palmyra. ramadi, the capital of the biggest province and palmyra, the cradle of civilisation now in its hands. >> reporter: this appears to be the final stages of fighting for a city at the heart of syria. i.s.i.l. fighters pushed syrian government forces out of palmyra. they are in control of city's infrastructure including the national hospital and security headquarters. >> translation: there's about 140,000 people here. people are afraid. there's no water. they can use local wells, and there's no town most of the time. >> reporter: palmyra is surrounded by gas fields and home to a prison. that's military airport and weapons depot. >> the military significance is >> the military significance is mostly in terms of the prison. there has been a lot of >>> the u.n.e.s.c.o. site is 2,000 years old and has roman era colon aids and priceless artefacts. some were bundled up and taken out of the city. much of the site remains at rick. >> if you consider it from i.s.i.s.'s perspective, an entity that

thanks, for being here. >> it's nice to be here. >> palmyra. >> palmyra. >> well, look at it this wayeen zinobia. women in the ancient world tend to not be remembered very well. you have helen of troy the tempt tres who led the empire to war. the character of eve. another temptress. queen zinobia from palmyra was considered the rebel queen. 3rd century. she takes over palmyra, then takes over egypt, becomes the queen of egypt and then is recaptured by the romans and either dies under torture or dies of a hunger strike in rome or lives out the rest of her life in luxury. but is revered as this legendary character oz a strong woman who led an army an author wrote about her. they painted her, addressing her troops and she was from palmyra. this is an important city. this is a part of the western civilization. it's a part of all of our cultural heritage. now it's in the hands of isis. >> how intact is palmyra? how much is there to see in palmyra when you go now? or when you went before last week, right? >> well, it is breath taking. it's one of the most beautiful sights in the ancient wor

earlier this week, the group seized two gas fields near palmyra. that city is home to priceless ancient artifacts. there are fears now isil could destroy them. >> this castle has stood watch over syria's central plains for hundreds of years part of the ruins of the city of palmyra a you necessary co world heritage site. it was at the center of the battle for control of the city as syrian government forces tried to push out fighters from the islamic state of iraq and the levant. >> there are about 140,000 people here, including some displaced from homes and resort. people are afraid. there's no water. we can only use local wells and there's no power most of the time. >> palmyra is surrounded by gas fields and home to the regime's prison a military airport and a weapons depot. the ancient city's on the outskirts, a complex of columns too manies and temples. it is one of syria's most precious architecture jewels. >> heritage sites should not be used for military purposes, but of course, the news are alarming. i appealed yesterday to all parties concer

palmyra is strategically located on it desert junction between homs and damascus. syrian forces are now cut off from the capital. syrian state television confirmed army forces withdrew from palmyra but only after ensuring most civilians have left. other sources claim tens of thousands of people are still trapped in the city. there are also growing tears that -- fears that i.s. could destroy the city's famous roman era ruins. many artifacts were moved before they took control, but the ruins are now under threat. unesco is urging the world community to save the world heritage site. >> we need indeed to help the security council. we need to help all political leaders. we need also to launch an appeal on the prevention of this destruction. >> islamic state's offensive continues. the group also posted videos of what it says is its riders in control of a gas-build northeast of palmyra -- gas-filled northeast of palmyra. >> were pleased to be joined by a middle east analyst. thank you for being with us. first of all, palmyra has become a political symbol for everyone invo

isil fighters have entered palmyra in syria.arrative has been that isil momentum had been stalled, but not anymore, it seems. the ramadi and now palmyra the cradle of civilization in its hands. carolyn malone reports. >> reporter: this appears to be the final stages of fighting for a city at the heart of syria. [ explosion ] >> reporter: isil fighters push syrian government forces out of palmyra. they are now in control of the city's infrastructure including the national hospital and security headquarters and of course thousands of people. >> there are about 140,000 people here including some displaced from homs. people are afraid. there's no water. we can only use local wells, and there is no power most of the time. >> reporter: palmyra is surrounded by gas fields and is home to a prison where political prisoners are housed. >> the military significance is mostly in terms of the prison. the human cost in terms of the refugees and death has been huge but the cultural loss has been incall cuable. >> reporter: the site is 2,000 ye

extremist group islamic state has captured the syrian town of palmyra.any residents have to let, and there are fears for the city's world famous archaeological treasures. in iraq, thousands of people are fleeing from ramadi, which also fell to i.s. fighters in recent days. reporter: with this latest success, capturing not just the historic city of palmyra but the important gas field outside of it, the self-wild islamic state now controls 50% of syrian territory. the sheer savagery has worked superbly well paralyzing its enemies with terror. "we're coming for you," he says with disturbing calm. "we are who love death as much as you love life. you will never be safe as long as you are alive." palmyra, one of the world's great classical cities, is now defenseless. when it can, islamic state destroys all vestiges of the non-islamic past. the speed of the i.s. advance has been extraordinary. yesterday, it was palmyra. 4 days ago, it gained the important town of ramadi in western iraq. a vast flood of terrified refugees pause along the road along ramadi. despe

now palmyra's strategic importance is taking center stage. it was seized on wednesday after a week of fighting against syrian government. >> were getting stronger and stronger on both sides of the border. there was a huge amount of almost and armor. >> the jihadist fighters have also taken nearby intelligence had orders and the notorious prison, which could give the group greater firepower in the long run. >> many of the prisoners are sympathizers of their ideology and have the good reputation of liberators. >> and click -- it could clear the way for the islamic extremist to advance toward damascus as well as key cities in the south. it's just one of a series of major vans is the group has made in both syria and iraq this week. >> they are able to launch several attacks at the same time in different strategic points. so the success they just one yesterday is a bit frightening because they show their ability to win. >> syrian state leaders say pro-government forces have been forced from the region. most of these 70,000 strong population of pal

arwa has been following the isis con quest of the city in syria palmyra palmyra.y from isis. the assad regime is saying about it and what it means for u.s. strategy. >> reporter: a number of organizations claiming that palmyra has fallen to isis. it did say that during the intense fighting, they were only obliged only move the artifacts. the concern being the absolutely spectacular testament to just how marvelous ancient civilization is with the city of palmyra. we have seen what the organize says has done to the other historical sites in iraq. also the humanitarian cost. the fighting was centralized around the city of palmyra. one cannot begin to imagine what the horrors people have had to endure. and the capture of palmyra in it would open new routes for isis to the city of damascus. this comes under the heels of another victory of isis in iraq. when it captured ramadi. as far as november senior officials in anbar province and officials trying to hold out on ramadi said this would take place. they had been begging for reinforcements. none materialized. ramadi fe

world heritage site in palmyra. narrative in recent months that the momentum had been stalled, shattered by advances. ramadi, the capital, and palmyra the cradle of civilisation in its hands. we'll get an update from iraq in a moment. first, caroline malone reports. >> this appears to be the final stages of fighting for a city at the heart of syria. i.s.i.l. fighters push government forces out of palmyra. they are in control of the city's infrastructure including the hospital and security hours. and, of course thousands of people. >> there are about 140,000 people here including displays from homes. people are afraid. there's no water. we can only use local wells. there's no power most of the time >>> palmyra is surrounded by gas fields and home to prison where the government houses political prisons. there's a military airport and weapons depot. >> the military significance is mostly in terms of the prison. the human cost in terms of refugees and dead is huge. the cultural loss is incalculable. >> the u.n.e.s.c.o.

we know that 11,000 people have fled palmyra. following isis takeover. this is just a short picture, a picture into the wider view and wider chaos and wider brutality that is isis. >> so ian, what is the assad regime's plan to retake palmyra? >> reporter: what we're hearing are the reports that the forces loyal to the regime and regime forces are gathering outside palmyra waiting for the go ahead to start their counter offensive and try to retake the city. although no date or time has been given. we're also hearing from the lebanese shi'ite militia and political group hezbollah who has been supporting the syrian government. we heard from their leader hasan rasolla. they are no longer focusing on the border and al qaeda nusra front. we are seeing an escalation of the fighting there as well. >> ian lee for us in cairo. disturbing news out of syria. >>> a deadly weekend of flooding in texas and oklahoma. the severe weather leaving three people dead and several others missing with hundreds forced to evacuate their homes. emergency crews trying to get a handl

palmyra is a strategically important location. it's on a highway linking the capital damascus with the areas controlled by the fighters. the celebrated ruins are in the southeast of the city. it includes the remains of temples and colonnades part of what was a busy commercial town connecting the roman empire with persia india and china. some archaeologists call it venice of the sand. islamic state militants tweeted that they had occupied the area. a british based group monitoring syria says the militants have entered the ruins. the fighters have destroyed a number of historical artifacts in iraq for allegedly violating their prohibitions on idol worship. scholars are worried that the palmyra site may also be targeted. unesco officials have called for an immediate cease-fire in and around the city. >> i would appeal strongly to all sides once again to review strategies, to review military actions and to protect and preserve palmyra. >> reporter: syrian officials have already moved hundreds of statues to a safe place but they say th

whether isis who is just outside palmyra can, remains to be seen. awe saw. secretary of state john kerry urging china to take action to reduce tensions in the south china sea. secretary kerry and his chinese counterpart met in beijing earlier. they discussed china's claims of sovereignty over much of the hotly disputed waters. now he said they beth agreed the region needs smart diplomacy. china recently reclaimed land on numerous sites there. a move that is aggravating several neighbors who also claim the territory. >> south korea will allow a group of women peace activists to march across the demilitarized zone between north and south korea. that is according to a reuters report. the women cross dmz group says it plans to march on may 24th from pyongyang to the dmz. now, two members of the group spoke earlier on cnn and ex-planned what they're marching for. explained what they're marching for. >> we will make a call for action to end longest war in 21st century, and 20th century. korean war never be over. we only have a cease-fire. when we make armistice, 1

what will happen in palmyra. i am very worried, alarmed by what is happening. let's hope that this wonderful monument will not be destroyed. >> the battle for palmyra has been going a week. now it seems isis is closer than ever to seizing this ancient city and possibly erasing this cultural treasure like it has done with others in the past. >>> to the united nations now, and police have identified a suspect in a quadruple murder at a washington mansion just a short distance away from the vice president's residence. a 34-year-old man is wanted on first degree murder charges. police believe more than one suspect is involved. a source says the couple their son and housekeeper suffered blunt force trauma before the house was set on fire. a source says who ever did it got away with $40,000. the ceo of a building materials manufacturer. >> now we are learning details about the investigation into that deadly amtrak train derailment. one law enforcement source tells cnn philadelphia police wanted to arrest engineer brand

palmyra is seen by many as the cradle of civilization.s future is uncertain. >>> at least 22 people have been killed in fighting between libyan soldiers and isil fighters in benghazi. 50 people were injured during the battles in the eastern city. rival groups have been fighting for control of benghazi for more than a year and in recent months this includes members of isil. >>> isil is also making gains in iraq where heavy fighting is underway around ramadi. >> reporter: there is a new front line in anbar province. in the east of ramadi there is a fierce fight. isil has taken some towns in the district. forces loyal to the government are trying to prevent the armed group from getting closer to a main base a few kilometers away. the islamic state of iraq and the levant hasn't lost its momentum. just days after seizing the capitol, ramadi. there are those two believe the armed group may not just want to grab territory. it wants to drain the resources of its opponents. >> does isil want to settle or to be a moved group? this is the idea of to

also with palmyra, ian, people are saying why can't palmyra be rescued. that puts an awkward forcing the tous go into syria to try to run isis out because they are aiding the syrian government somewhat. it gets tricky trying to figure out who is on what side, where and how. >> that's right. as we've seen, isis has expanded in syria and iraq. the u.s. government has to be very careful to be seen who they are supporting. quickly in iraq they don't want to be seen as supporting the shiite militias. they have used air strikes to aid advances. and the u.s. government doesn't want to be seen as aiding the syrian government. so it is a very sticky situation. but at the same time, isis is everyone's enemy. they do not have these allies in either side. everyone is trying to fight them. so when you do see isis's tentacles reaching across the region, a lot of people are wondering really what can be done to stop them. as we've seen in sir why and iraq, it doesn't look like anyone has been able to put up a fight to push them back. >> right. 22,000 fighters in isis com

now we're learning more about how isis is treating the people of palmyra. for some insight we are joined via skype from istanbul by anne barnard of the "new york times." so this was the first city that isis took control of from the syrian government. have their tactics changed in what they do when they get into town? >> well, it seems there's a certain set of steps that isis has honed during the two years it started to accumulate territory in iraq and syria. they come in. they carry out some well-publicized atrocities -- beheadings attacking people who they think might oppose them and try to court favor with some other populations and alternate between the two. now, this is the first time that they've taken a town from the government and not from insurgents who had taken it previously. so strangely, here, they don't expect to have a rival for the antigovernment mantle so to speak. so some people are surprised that they have not been harsher with the general population especially since palmyra is a place that made its living off the tourist trade and was qui

>> reporter: palmyra is stunning. syrian government saying prior to the victory by isis they managed to move out the artifacts that were moveable. at the end of the day, you have the stunning sprawling city that is centuries old that once stood as a key location on the crossroads for the trade routes that one from the roman empire to persia and indivisiblea and china. now at the mercy and whether or not they will destroy it as they have other sites in iraq. palmyra capture is significant and it opens new routes for isis toward the capital of damascus. this comes after ramadi here in iraq. this is a very significant victory. isis is bogging the iraqi security forces down at this stage. at least those capable of standing up and fighting it in the back and forth running battles and sporadic attacks as they try to prevent isis from pushing further east to the capital. the iraqi government scrambling reinforcements or trying to the very different frontlines that exist in anbar province. saying it will arm the sunni tribes.

why palmyra and why now? >> well, why palmyra, i think because more than anything else, isis thrives on international attention. they have learned recently nothing gets them as much attention as destroying ancient historical artifacts. that seems to get -- most of us have become inured to the human toll in the last few years, they get a spike in interest every time they go after an ancient monument in the last months. that might explain why they are going for palmyra. why now? they haven't had a lot of big success in syria a lot of attention on isis hassen about in iraq. they lost tikrit, they regained ramadi. it's a bit of win some and lose some in iraq. in syria, the attention actually has been focused on other groups, groups like free syrian army, al nusra. they have been recently making big strides, successes against the regime. isis is in the conversation, if you like, falling behind. this is isis way of reclaiming, if you like. they are saying we're here. we're the big power. we're the big force in syri

rule. >> a threat to palmyra's ancient ruins captures headlines. control of the city gives direct access to the east and homs in the west. activists say that i.s.i.l. has taken over the last border crossing between iraq and syria. the armed group controls five major cities across syria and iraq including mosul, ramadi fallujah and raqqa. we have this report. >> everyone in the station appears to have fled. showing that i.s.i.l. has been edging closer day by day. but with their own camera rolling, i.s.i.l. fighters are relentless in a destruction of a symbol of a syrian regime. palmyra is in the hands of these fighters just a few weeks ago i.s.i.l. was said to be on the run. in the same video, local people are shown to support one fighter. it's unclear whether that support is genuine. i.s.i.l. used fear and terror to control the fall. the fall of palmyra has caused alarm and fear for the thousands of people who are thought to be trapped inside. many had come here seeking sank tu urea from other -- sanctuary from other parts of syria, i.s.i.l. struck

the city of palmyra. dumping the decapitated bodies in the streets and calling on citizens to turn in government soldiers. these latest developments have triggered global concerns of the fate of the ancient ruins there. cnn's ian lee is with us. despite the artifacts lost what are the ramifications of the city falling? >> reporter: john when we look at it you first have to talk about the civilian population there. tens of thousands of people living there and as you mentioned, isis going door-to-door looking for anyone who is a threat. they executed people. also this is a very strategic city. it is at a crossroads that leads to homes and damascus. also the antiquities there. for isis this is like robbing a bank. we know they destroyed antiquities across iraq and syria. the threat is there for palmyra as well. also the looting of antiquities as well. isis has used antiquities, the legal trade of them to help fund their operations. i was at a conference talking about the significance of this. i talked to a f

how significant is the fall of palmyra? does it open the way for isil to now make gains in other major areas and cities? >> firstly thanks for having me. second in terms of palmyra the importance of the city is that it's a logistics hub to allows the islamic state access to most parts of syria. given the standard tactics of the group what i expect them to do is launch a multitude of attacks aimed at in applicanting mass casualties, at holmes, dock dock further north of aleppo to disperse the already stretched that government forces. then they'll move to their main objective, cutting off the highway connecting damascus to the coastal mountains which form the hard land of the community. >> looking at the amount of territory they control the amount of oil and gas fields they control are they now the major opposition force to the bashar al assad regime? >> yeah, they've become so, largely thanks to bashar al assad. he focused his forces on exterminating any moderate opposition which was all right quite weak. very early on, the

know what will happen in palmyra. i am very worried, alarmed by what is happening. let's hope that this wonderful monument will not be destroyed. >> reporter: the battle for palmyar has been going on for about a week. now it seems isis is closer than ever to seizing this ancient city and possibly erasing this cultural treasure like it has done with others in the past. >>> and if you have your laptop or tablet nearby. take a look at our continuing coverage online, on the isis advance in palmyar. not the first time isis destroyed archaeological sites. find more online at cnn.com/international. >> to other stories we are following for you. police have identified one suspect in a quadruple murder at a washington mansion near the vice president's residence. a 34-year-old man is wanted on first degree murder charges. police believe more than one suspect is involved. >> a source says the couple their 10-year-old son and their housekeeper suffered blunt force trauma before the house was set on fire a week ago. a source says w

at least 400 people many women and children killed in palmyra. the streets are littered with bodies according to syria tv. let's get the latest from cnn's ian lee from cairo. ian ian, this is the worst fears coming to fruition. >> reporter: that's right, christine. when we see isis advance, we see the flood of people leaving the area. 11,000 people from palmyra. and ramadi several thousand people were fleeing. when isis takes over the city the reign of terror begins. they go door-to-door and they take them out and execute them. we are hearing reports anywhere from 90 into the hundreds from different groups and agencyies. we know this happens all over iraq and syria. we are hearing at least 11 children were also executed by isis and they have roughly 600 people taken prisoner. people that we are hearing worked for the former regime. as we have seen elsewhere in iraq and syria, the likelihood that they will remain captives is unlikely as we know they execute these people regularly. >> just brutal methods. no question. what about plans to try to ret

control of the city of palmyra also gives i.s.i.l. direct access to darazur. the last border crossing between iraq and syria. the armed group now controls five major cities across syria and iraq, including mosul ramadi. >> with their own camera rolling, i.s.i.l. fighters fighters are relentness in destruction of any sign of syrian regime past or present. just a few weeks ago i.s.i.l. was said to be on the run. in the same video local people are shown to support one fighter. it's unclear whether that support is genuine. i.s.i.l. has used sphere and terror to controlfear andterror to control before. thousands of people who are thought to be trapped inside. many had come here seeking sanctuary from other parts of syria and i.s.i.l. has struck the heart of syria's ancient past with its ruins now under threat. >> we may have different beliefs, we may have different views. but we have to protect such incredible vestiges of human history. and i would appeal indeed that destroying heritage will not prove anything. >> with no clear strategy to strike back the group's m

local reports describe the syrian army fleeing palmyra. by design or default, he's losing east of syria to isis. in ramadi, iraq, where ramadi special forces can call in u.s. air support, the army also retreated as isis closed in on them. it seems reminiscent of isis' sweeping gains last summer, the terror group seized more weapons as government stockpiles fell into their hands. >> not something that you predict happening. but we heard, you lose some, but you have to have endure. >> reporter: for now, battlefield momentum is with isis, quickly moving on from ramadi towards baghdad. at the end of the week taking the town in totality, gains connecting greater control of the border between iraq and syria, to gains west of iraq, isis' power base is growing and so are international concerns. >> translator: we must build a new syria which can be rid naturally of the regime of bashar al assad. but also above all, of the terrorists, because they are in a country and they're making progress. so we must do all we can so a political solution can be w

and also you have the other issue of the artfy fyfy facts in palmyra.thers will say don't worry about the artifacts when you have human lives in risk here. but some of these could be sold for money to fund isis and also about sending a message of control, isn't it? >> well that is absolutely right. great concern now about the artifacts in pal mira also the greco roman sites in pal mira that could be destroyed by isis. we've seen the videotape before when they've destroyed artifacts in nimrud and a syrian site near mosul and in iraq so there's concern they could do this again. but above all, isis wants to get money for these kind of artifacts. they will be looking to raise money from overseas to sell some of these artifacts they're able to get their hands on in the city. but there's also a lot of concern that now they've taken control of palmyra be they have a stronger support base in syria along the syria/iraq border to send fighters weapons, supplies into iraq to reinforce in anbar province and areas around ramadi real concern they will be able to use

here's what she told us. >> we are very, very alarmed by the situation around palmyra. appealed yesterday to all the parties to protect the heritage. this is an extraordinary geological complex, which has been on the crossroads of trade and also a very particular, i would say, mixture of culture of roman and greek architecture. it was one of the main routes for trade. we know that during the last years, there had been already damage in palm era -- palmyra. we know that it has been a military camp. two cities that we know have fallen. we know that there are ecological excavations going around, and we respect that there is a lot of trafficking going on, so we are very worried, alarmed about the situation. >> that was the director of unesco speaking about the situation in palm are a just a little earlier on -- palm ira -- palmyra. they called him the king of the blues, and his incredible voice and skill made him hundreds of fans. the 15-time grammy winner has been a poor health in recent months. he was 89 years old when he died yesterday. u.s. president barack obama led a

thousand have also fled the ancient syrian city of palmyra, as u.s.correspondent barbara starr shows us these isis advances are major blows to coalition forces. >> reporter: isis solidified control around ancient syrian city of palmyra friday. in iraq it pushed east of ramadi, taking the town of husayba. iraqi security officials tell cnn. a desperate situation as residents continue to flee ramadi and other towns in anbar province. and for the u.s., presidential rhetoric may be sorely outdated. >> in iraq, in syria, american leadership including our military power is stopping isil's advance. >> reporter: president obama says the u.s. isn't losing to isis. but senior u.s. military officials privately acknowledge the terror group's takeever of ramadi is showing a key flaw the pentagon had long worried about. air strikes alone can't defeat isis. unless iraqi forces step up and fight. and in ramadi, that did not happen. and there could be political fallout. >> they have had now a fairly serious defeat in ramadi for which the prime minister and defense mini

islamic state militants seized almost all of the syrian city of palmyra. unesco fears a world heritage site in the ancient city could be at risk. >>> a japanese doctor born in china is using her medical and communication skills to build a bridge between the two countries. >>> the islamic state militant group has taken control of most of the syrian city of palmyra. concerns are rising that ancient monuments in the city listed as a unesco world heritage site could be damaged. the syrian observatory for human rights says the militants forced government troops to withdraw after fierce fighting and seized a large swath of the city. palmyra is in a strategic location, along a highway linking damascus with areas controlled by the group. it is not yet known whether the fighters have entered the district of the city containing an ancient temple and monuments. the structures date back 2,000 years. the syrian government has been trying to fight off the islamic state militants by stepping up airstrikes. it's also trying to safeguard the ruins by transferring hundreds

how palmyra rooms. this the second isis conquest this week. after fighters capture the iraqi city of ramadi a mere 70 miles from baghdad, washington sidelined a seemingly rudderless. that's according to the u.s. general who led the international security forces in afghanistan. >>> i'm not sure most americans or most people in the world are exactly sure what our strategy is, which means you have to define it in state. the wider issue, who is fighting against isis. we are. wait a minute. assad fighting against them. obviously iranians helping government of iraq shia militia, united states is helping, some of the persian gulf countries are helping. but it's a group of people. napolean reported as saying when asked who he would like to fight, what opponent he said a coalition. we're not really a team on this. >> let's talk more about this with major general spider marks, senior military analyst. welcome, sir. >> hi, carol. good morning. >> good morning. pretty strong words from general mcchrystal, what do you say? >> i think general mcchrystal is

scholars are worried that the palmyra site may also be targeted. unesco officials have called for an immediate cease-fire in and around the city. >> i would appeal strongly to all sides once again to review strategies, to ruoff review their military actions and to protect and preserve palmyra. >> reporter: syrian officials have already moved hundreds of statues to a safe place but they say they can't do anything about the buildings. >> translator: syrian people will defend the site with all their strength to prevent the militants from entering it but the international community also has a responsibility. >> reporter: syrian officials point out militants may be trying to use the heritage site as a shield to protect themselves against an offensive by syrian government forces. archaeologists say it will be an immense loss for humanity if the heritage was destroyed. tomoko kamata, nhk world. >>> friday marked the first anniversary of thailand's military coup. the interim prime minister is working to restore civilian rule. but the rift between two key p

the any of o'meara -- the city of palmyra deserted after they took control. they have seized the last border crossing in government hands. in the north they took formerly a government stronghold, and a thursday -- thursday palmyra with its ancient ruins. it's a side of asked historical importance. the temples and theater are 2000 years old -- it's a site of vast historical importance. in iraq, the jihadists razed similar cultural landmarks including an ancient city in the country's north. and priceless artifacts in and around most of -- mosul. >> to destroy them is an extreme provocation to the west. they wanted to tell the west and the international community that they are ready to trample on what is most valuable to us. >> syria's main opposition group says it is now agent for the international community to step in and help save the country's people and its heritage. >> palmyra is of huge historical significance. the world has had its eyes on this any for a few days now it is very concerned, but we should not forget that every day hundreds of people are dyi

the innocent victims in palmyra, killed in some cases, brutally killed by isis.uities, treasures some 2,000 years old. any word how isis is treating the history that's there? >> reporter: at this stage, those antiquities do not appear to be in isis possession. perhaps they're holding off to garner favor with the local population. clearly holding them very dear. typical to isis moving into population center. can be kind at first before they become more brutal and started this upon those people and also could just be waiting, frankly, for a news blast of palmyra having been taken a late stage to get further publicity about that destruction. at this stage, said to be okay. i still should point out 217 people said to have been executed by isis as they go door to door killing those with any sense of regime connection or sympathy. john? >> simply barbaric. nick paton walsh in baghdad talking about what's happening in syria, but a lot is happening in iraq as well. thank you so much. the isis takeover of palmyra comes days after isis seized ramadi some iraqi security for

why is palmyra important from a cultural and archeological perspective compared to raqqa. >> palmyra is extremely preserved greco roman site around the oasis. it's one of the best examples we have. it's central to syrian ideology. for a shirt period, its queen led a successful revolt against the roman empire. >> we all remember the video of isil fighters taking hatchets to those statues in iraq and mosul. what is the greater goal, destroy and the particular wilts or are they petty too tomb raiders stealing and selling them? >> they destroy the immoveable property they have for ideological regions to shock local population and populations the further enemy. the majority of their attacks over 90% are directed at islamic heritage, a small percentage of attacks are directed at the preislamic period. they are acting as a capacity builder for the looting of archeological silents and cultural repot stories libraries, universities and that material is flowing out of iraq and syria into transnational crime networks. >> how does isil go about selling these artifacts? we know that they have for

palmyra 1 surrounded by gas fields. and this video online is said to show isil fighters entering a pumping station east of the city. the city is also home to the prison where they house political prisoners. there is also an airport and a weapons depot. >> the human cost and the refugees has been huge, but the cultural loss has been i be calculable. >> palmyra 1 home to a 2,000-year-old heritage site with priceless artifacts. local activists said that some were bundled up and taken out of the city. but much of the site remains at risk. >> we may have different beliefs and different views but we have to protect such incredible vestiges of human history. and i would appeal, indeed that destroying heritage will not achieve anything. >> activists released a video they say shows the ancient walls covered in bullet high schools, and they accuse the syrian soldiers as looting. palmyra is said by many to be the cradle of civilization, and so much of the past is in this place. but it's future is uncertain. >> a syrian archaeologi

in syria, isis is tightening the grip on palmyra.odies in the historic streets. they are calling on citizens to turn in government soldiers. for the latest i want to get to senior correspondent ivan watson. ivan you heard from the white house that its strategy is working. we see these gains quickly and each of these gains, ivan gives the terrorists more money and more ammunition and more iraqi army gear and i guess more confidence. >> reporter: absolutely. they will likely play this to the hilt for propaganda reasons and get more recruits and maintain momentum on the battle field. the develops in syria and palmyra and another place. they captured one of the last remaining border crossings. after the syrian government pulled back from there, christine. in the case of the two most recent conquests in syria, isis went after syria government forces. this is something we have not seen in the past. isis had been going against other syrian rebels. now syrian government forces and both of the cases, winning. it putting the syrian government

controls the land between palmyra to ramadi.led by shia malitias. >> translator: sunni politicians who want the tribes to be armed a long time ago are now calling for a new strategy. >> translator: today and bar has fallen and has significance because it's the third of the iraqi area and the province expelled al-qaeda years ago and not just and bar but a disaster with respect to iraq and the region and this is unacceptable and capacity of iraqs is very limited and should be a new strategic plan for iraq and the international coalition forces to terminate i.s.i.l. in iraq. >> reporter: in syria the u.s. led coalition doesn't have any partner on the ground. it doesn't recognize the government's legitimacy. over resent months i.s.i.l. may have been on the defensive. that has now changed. dana with al jazeera, baghdad. >>> elsewhere in syria activists in aleppo providence say at least 12 people have been killed after government helicopters bombed the province and in idlib the siege by rebel fighters of a hospital occupied by governm

today, isis sealed off the ancient syrian city of palmyra. thousands fled yesterday when the islamic extremist group overran the syrian army. now clarissa ward tells us an irreplaceable treasure may be lost. >> reporter: the city of palmyra was largely empty today but for the bodies of suspected isis opponents dumped in the street. the victorious militants swept through a deserted syrian army base searching for any remaining regime soldiers and showing off the remains of those they had executed to residents. the fall of palmyra also puts the future of some of the country's most precious cultural heritage in jeopardy. the city's 2,000-year-old ruins are now under the control of isis militants who have regularly destroyed cultural relics in the past in other locations, condemning them as un-islamic. what doesn't get destroyed is looted. trafficking antiquities is a major source of revenue for the group. lieutenant colonel nicholas saad is the head of the bureau for international thefts in lebanon where many of those smuggled artifacts turn up.