ISIS Makes Gains Near Damascus

Islamic State fighters advanced into a neighborhood in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Sunday, according to the militant group and activists.

Clashes on the outskirts of the Qadam neighborhood resulted in the deaths of at least two dozen ISIS gunmen, according to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. While ISIS claims to have taken control of half of the neighborhood, the Observatory says it controls two streets and that fighting continues, reports the Associated Press.

In April, ISIS made advances in the nearby Yarmouk refugee camp for Palestinians, where it maintains a presence along with Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian affiliate of al-Qaida.

The Observatory estimates that ISIS controls more than half of all Syrian territory, while the Syrian government controls a mere 20–30 percent of territory.

ISIS Partially Destroys Ancient Temple in Palmyra

‫ ISIS fighters used explosives on the ancient Temple of Bel in Palmyra, although locals reportedly said that it is unclear how badly the temple is damaged.

The explosion came several days after ISIS destroyed the Temple of Baalshamin, also located in Palmyra, as reported by the BBC. ISIS has razed ancient historical artifacts in places across Syria and Iraq.

UNESCO, the United Nations agency for culture and science, has decried the destruction of such sites as “war crimes.”

Khaled Asaad, a renowned Palmyra scholar and archeologist, was beheaded by ISIS last week. After ISIS captured Palmyra in May, teenage fighters killed 25 Syrian government soldiers in front of the city’s ancient amphitheater.

Hezbollah, Rebels Ceasefire Falls Apart in Zabadani

A ceasefire between the Syrian government and Hezbollah on the one hand and rebel factions on the other broke down early on Saturday in three towns near the Syrian-Lebanese border.

The ceasefire was the second of its kind in rebel-controlled Zabadani and two government-held Shia villages, Foua and Kafraya, reports The Guardian. Residents reported shelling and heavy gunfire in the area.

The first 48-hour ceasefire began on August 12 and was extended for an additional day. Negotiations to further extend it failed, however, and intense fighting resumed until last week.

Top Photo: ISIS religious police policing one of the areas under its control. (Syria Deeply contributor)

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• The Independent: Turkey Duped the U.S., and ISIS Reaps Rewards