These Photos of Palmyra Before and After ISIS Are Heart Wrenching

The nearly two year ISIS occupation of the historic site has been devastating.

A general view taken on March 31, 2016 shows a photographer holding his picture of the Temple of Bel taken on March 14, 2014 in front of the remains (far-L) of the historic temple after it was destroyed by Islamic State (IS) group jihadists in September 2015 in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. Syrian troops backed by Russian forces recaptured Palmyra on March 27, 2016, after a fierce offensive to rescue the city from jihadists who view the UNESCO-listed site's magnificent ruins as idolatrous. / AFP / JOSEPH EID Photo credit should read JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images

The archaeological and historical marvel that is the ancient city of Palmyra has been ravaged by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

AFP photographer Joseph Eid has published emotive photos starkly illustrating the damage Palmyra has endured since its capture by ISIS in May 2015. Since ISIS took control, the international community has feared—correctly so— for the UNESCO heritage site.  

Although they are not the first images that have surfaced since the Syrian Army took back Palmyra on March 27, 2016, Eid’s photographs poignantly demonstrate how damaging ISIS’s occupation has been on the ancient city. 

The Temple of Bel on March 31, 2016, compared to a March 14, 2015 photograph of the temple, held by photograph Josheph Eid. The photo effectively conveys the damage ISIS reaped on the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images