Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes battled ISIS insurgents around Palmyra on Monday, trying to extend their gains after taking back control of a city whose ancient temples were dynamited by the ultra-radical militants.
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Two months later ISIS destroyed more antiquities, including the 1,800-year-old Arch of Triumph that framed the approach to the city and the almost 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin.
The article also says that Bokova spoke to Maamoun Abdulkarim, director-general of Syrian antiquities and museums, reiterating the United Nations body’s “full support” for the restoration of the ancient treasures, underscoring “the critical role of cultural heritage for resilience, national unity, and peace”.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Syrian regime has regained Palmyra which also served a gateway to the extremist militant group’s northeast stronghold, located in Raqqa and Deir Ezzour provinces.
Mr Abdulkarim said that he thought it would take around five years to restore the site if the government in Syria gets back from UNESCO.
Annie Sartre-Fauriat, who belongs to a group of experts on Syrian heritage set up by UNESCO in 2013 said she is “very doubtful” about being able to rebuild the site at Palmyra.
A banner belonging to the Islamic court of the ISIS is seen on the ground after forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad recaptured Palmyra city, in Homs Governorate in this handout picture provided by SANA on March 27, 2016.
‘We could have completely lost Palmyra…
The Associated Press quoted a Syrian military official as saying on March 28 that bomb squads have begun clearing mines and bombs left behind by IS in Palmyra.
Famous sites, including the colonnade, the agora and the Roman amphitheater – used by ISIS for staging executions – were found undamaged.
The recapture of Palmyra by Syrian government forces on Sunday was an important victory over IS fighters who had waged a 10-month reign of terror there.
The army says it will use Palmyra as a launchpad to expand operations against IS and cut its supply routes.
Before they fled the ancient community Islamic State thugs destroyed many artifacts and wired up the whole town with interlaced booby-traps.
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Syria’s antiquities chief said the priceless artefacts had survived better than feared from a campaign of destruction UNESCO described as a “war crime”.
