Arab League Says IS Capture of Palmyra 'Threat' to Heritage Site

The Arab League on Friday condemned the Islamic State group's capture of Palmyra, saying the Syrian city's seizure posed an "eminent threat" to the international heritage site. 

"Daesh's capture of this historic city is an eminent threat to one of the most important heritage sites in the world," Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi said in a statement, referring to IS by its Arabic acronym.

Arabi's remarks came after U.N. cultural agency chief Irina Bokova on Thursday called the ancient metropolis "the birthplace of human civilization."

"It belongs to the whole of humanity and I think everyone today should be worried about what is happening," the UNESCO chief said.

IS fighters spread out on Thursday through Palmyra, including at the archaeological site in the city's southwest.

The jihadists have become notorious for demolishing archaeological treasures since declaring a "caliphate" last year straddling Iraq and Syria.

IS sparked international outrage this year when it blew up the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud and smashed artifacts in the Mosul museum, both in Iraq.

Known in Syria as "the pearl of the desert", Palmyra is home to colonnaded alleys, elaborately decorated tombs and ancient Greco-Roman ruins.