The delivery of humanitarian aid to half a million displaced civilians in north eastern Syria is under threat from fighting between Iraqi forces and Kurdish fighters near the border, a medical charity has warned.

The bodies of at least 65 civilians have been found in a central Syrian town retaken by government forces from the Islamic State group, activists have reported.

Islamic State (IS) militants have overrun the famed archaeological site at Palmyra, just hours after seizing the central Syrian town, raising concerns the extremists might destroy some of the priceless ruins as they have done in neighbouring Iraq.

Islamic State militants are in full control of the famed archaeological site in the ancient town of Palmyra in central Syria, according to activists.

Twin bombings near an elementary school in Syria killed at least 22 people, including at least 10 children, with the second blast going off as screaming parents frantically searched for their sons and daughters.