ISIS Controlling 50 Percent of Syria after Palmyra Takeover

Terror group ISIS took over the Syrian city of Palmyra on Thursday in a brutal attack. Fox News reports that after the takeover, the terrorist organization was in control of 50 percent of Syria. 

ISIS militants reportedly first invaded an archaeological site, then moved on to a military air base, prison and intelligence headquarters. 

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 462 people were killed in the Palmyra invasion, including 150 ISIS militants. 

Residents are concerned that terrorists will destroy ancient artifacts that are in the city as the group did in Nimrud and Mosul; some of the oldest pieces predate the foundation of Islam. 

Damascus Antiquities and Museum Department head Maamoun Abdul-Karim said, "The city is now totally controlled by gunmen and its destiny is dark and dim. We are in a state of anticipation and fear.”

Publication date: May 21, 2015