Islamic State destroys ancient amphitheater at Palmyra, Syria

Jan. 20 (UPI) -- The Islamic State destroyed parts of an ancient Roman amphitheater dating to the second century A.D. in the city of Palmyra, Syria, state-run media reported Friday.

The façade of the Roman Theater and the Tetrapylon, a monument of pillars, were demolished with explosives, SANA news agency reported. Each is a famous and archeologically significant part of the ancient city, designated a UNESCO Heritage Site. The destruction came two days after IS killed at least 12 people in Palmyra, SANA said.

The site, locally known as Tadmur and adjacent to the modern city of Palmyra, was captured by IS in 2015. The terrorist organization then began destroying structures it regarded as offensive to Islam, and pillaging the site for artifacts to sell. Twenty priceless monuments were ruined. Syrian officials said at the time that IS militants destroyed two Muslim holy sites, a 500-year-old shrine and a tomb where a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad's cousin is said to be buried.

Syrian government troops, aided by Russia, drove out the terror group in March 2016, but Palmyra fell into IS hands again in December while Syrian forces concentrated on fighting for control of the city of Aleppo.