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Islamic State militants have destroyed Palmyra's ancient temple of Baalshamin, officials say.

The temple was made of "significant substantial pieces of masonry" and would have required a "significant explosion", said Dr Amr Al-Azm, former director of conservation at Syria's ministry of Antiquities and Museums.

The militants took control of Palmyra in May, sparking fears they might demolish the Unesco World Heritage site - the loss of which "would be terrible", said Dr Al-Azm.