Retaking Palmyra

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After several weeks of fighting, Syrian government troops backed by Russian airstrikes were able to gain control of the ancient city of Palmyra this weekend, driving out ISIS militants who took the city last May.

Archaeologists were rushing to the site to assess the damage, after earlier evidence of looting and destruction by the jihadist group. Officials have reported that demining experts have removed dozens of bombs planted by ISIS across the historic city.

The occupation and battle to re-take Palmyra wreaked havoc on the city, leaving buildings and historic sites in ruins.

Smoke billows from the Palmyra citadel on March 25, 2016, during a military operation by Syrian troops to retake the ancient city from ISIS militants.

Syrian troops walk in the destroyed streets of the residential neighbourhoods in the modern town adjacent to the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra after they recaptured the UNESCO site from ISIS on March 27, 2016.

A banner belonging to ISIS seen on the ground after forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad recaptured Palmyra.

Graffiti on a stone reads in Arabic: “Shooting without the permission of the chief is prohibited” near the remains of the entrance to the iconic Temple of Bel that was destroyed by ISIS jihadists in September.

Syrian pro-governement forces walk on a road on the outskirts of Palmyra on March 25, 2016, during a military operation to retake the ancient city.

A picture taken on March 26, 2016, shows smoke billowing in Palmyra during a military operation by Syrian pro-government forces to retake the city from the jihadist Islamic State group.

A picture taken on March 27, 2016, shows the citadel of the ancient city of Palmyra as seen from a residential neighborhood of the modern town after Syrian troops recaptured the city.

In this photo released on Thursday March 24, 2016, a Syrian government soldier takes a position inside a damaged palace, at the entrance to Palmyra.

A member of forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walks down the stairs of the museum of Palmyra, after government forces recaptured the city.

This photo released on March 28, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows destroyed statues and evidence of stolen items inside the damaged Palmyra Museum.

Damaged artifacts inside the museum of the historic city of Palmyra, after forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad recaptured the city on March 27, 2016.

Damaged artifacts inside the museum of Palmyra, after government forces recaptured the city on March 27, 2016.

The damaged Lion of Al-Lat statue at the entrance of the museum of the historic city of Palmyra, on March 27, 2016.

A burned military vehicle in Palmyra city after Syrian government forces recaptured it on March 27, 2016.

Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad walk through the city of Palmyra.

This photo released on March 28, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows a general view of the ancient ruins of Palmyra, central Syria.

A member of Syrian pro-government forces carries an ISIS flag as he stands on a street in Palmyra on March 27, 2016, after troops recaptured the city.

In this photo released by SANA, a Syrian soldier holds a Syrian national flag in front of the Palmyra citadel during fighting between government forces and ISIS militants in Palmyra on March 27, 2016.

Syrian government forces stand beside military vehicles in the ancient city of Palmyra on March 27, 2016.

Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad take positions on a look-out point overlooking the historic city of Palmyra on March 27, 2016.