After recapturing Palmyra from the Islamic State (ISIS), the military is just starting to assess the destruction to the Syrian city's magnificent ruins.

Explosions could be heard throughout the city on Friday as the Syrian army detonated mines that had been left behind by the jihadists as booby traps, according to the Associated Press.

The town's archaelogical site — a UNESCO world heritage site — is about a mile away from the town. Both are deserted, except for the military members clearing the area and some journalists who went along to see.

Some parts of the site, such as the Roman amphitheatre, have been left relatively unscathed. During its 10 months of occupation, ISIS used the amphitheatre as a site to hold public executions.

The Syrian Sana news agency said Friday that Syrian troops had uncovered a mass grave in the city. Twenty-five bodies had been recovered, including those of women and children.

AFP photographer Joseph Eid showed the extent of the destruction of the ruins by holding a photo of each ruin taken in March 14, 2014, up against the photo taken on March 31, 2016.

Temple of Baal Shamin Image: JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images



Temple of Bel Image: JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images

Temple of Bel Image: JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images



Arc du Triomphe (Triumph's Arch) Image: JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images

Arc du Triomphe (Triumph's Arch) Image: JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images

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