ISIS seized control of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F05%2F15%2Fmiddleeast%2Fgallery%2Fpalmyra-ruins-syria%2Findex.html">Palmyra</a>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back 2,000 years, in May, prompting fears for the site's survival. The Syrian government confirmed ISIS fighters have <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F06%2F24%2Fmiddleeast%2Fsyria-isis-palmyra-shrines%2Findex.html">destroyed two Muslim shrines</a> in the ancient oasis city. It's the latest act of cultural vandalism by the Sunni extremists.
ISIS seized control of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back 2,000 years, in May, prompting fears for the site's survival. The Syrian government confirmed ISIS fighters have destroyed two Muslim shrines in the ancient oasis city. It's the latest act of cultural vandalism by the Sunni extremists.
Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty
ISIS released a propaganda video showing its fighters destroying Iraq's ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in March. The destruction follows other attacks on antiquity carried out by the militant group in Iraq and Syria. The United Nations has described such deliberate cultural destruction as a "war crime."
ISIS released a propaganda video showing its fighters destroying Iraq's ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in March. The destruction follows other attacks on antiquity carried out by the militant group in Iraq and Syria. The United Nations has described such deliberate cultural destruction as a "war crime."
militant video via AP
The Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in March that ISIS had bulldozed the ruins of Nimrud, seen here in 2009.
The Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in March that ISIS had bulldozed the ruins of Nimrud, seen here in 2009.
Courtesy Col. Mary Prophit
Bas-relief panels from the Palace of Ashurnasirpal II are seen in Nimrud in 2009.
Bas-relief panels from the Palace of Ashurnasirpal II are seen in Nimrud in 2009.
Courtesy Col. Mary Prophit
This file photo from 2003 shows the ancient ruins of Hatra in Iraq. It is another one of the cultural sites that have reportedly been damaged by ISIS.
This file photo from 2003 shows the ancient ruins of Hatra in Iraq. It is another one of the cultural sites that have reportedly been damaged by ISIS.
PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images
Bas-reliefs of masks in Hatra
Bas-reliefs of masks in Hatra
DeAgostini/Getty Images
A statue of the goddess Shamiya, or Shahiro, at Hatra in 2009
A statue of the goddess Shamiya, or Shahiro, at Hatra in 2009
Courtesy Suzanne Bott
In this image made from video posted on a social media account affiliated with ISIS, a militant uses a power tool to destroy a winged-bull Assyrian protective deity at the Nineveh Museum in Mosul, Iraq.
In this image made from video posted on a social media account affiliated with ISIS, a militant uses a power tool to destroy a winged-bull Assyrian protective deity at the Nineveh Museum in Mosul, Iraq.
Associated Press
"It's tragic to see this destruction," said William Webber, from the UK-based Art Loss Register. "Each time you see this you think it can't happen again, but it does." The Mosul museum held 173 original pieces of antiquity and was being readied for reopening when ISIS invaded Mosul in June.
"It's tragic to see this destruction," said William Webber, from the UK-based Art Loss Register. "Each time you see this you think it can't happen again, but it does." The Mosul museum held 173 original pieces of antiquity and was being readied for reopening when ISIS invaded Mosul in June.
Balkis Press/Sipa/AP
An exterior shot of Nineveh in May 2008
An exterior shot of Nineveh in May 2008
Courtesy Diane Siebrandt
Two Parthian Kings of Hatra, seen in the Mosul museum in 2008
Two Parthian Kings of Hatra, seen in the Mosul museum in 2008
Courtesy Diane Siebrandt
In July, a video was released showing the destruction of Jonah's Tomb in Mosul. The tomb was inside a Sunni mosque, seen here in 2008, called the Mosque of the Prophet Yunes (Arabic for Jonah).
In July, a video was released showing the destruction of Jonah's Tomb in Mosul. The tomb was inside a Sunni mosque, seen here in 2008, called the Mosque of the Prophet Yunes (Arabic for Jonah).
Courtesy Diane Siebrandt