The office of Syria’s president condemned on Monday the destruction of the 2,000- year-old iconic Arch of Triumph in Palmyra by the Islamic State group which controls the ancient city. In the past few weeks its extremists have blown up the temples of Baal Shamin and Bel and three tower tombs.
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ISIS militants have also destroyed other religious buildings, such as churches and mosques, and they have targeted museums as well. But as the Syrian army fights to recapture Palmyra, there are concerns that’s may accelerate its razing of the historical site. Since then, the antiquities expert that worked the ruins, Khaled al-Asad, was beheaded and destruction of specific parts of the ruins has been ongoing. “Since the capture of the city (by ISIS), it has been one shock after another”. “Often times we talk about how [a place] is the heritage of the world. IS has destroyed it”, Palmyra activist Mohammad Hassan al-Homsi said to AFP, BBC reported.
UNESCO declared Palmyra as a world heritage site because the ancient city showcased the cultural arts of a number of civilizations including countries in the Middle East and Mediterranean. Hariri was separated from his wife and child ruing the siege and barely escaped with his life.
The IS militant regard these temples as ancient relics that support idolatry and destroys these ancient temples to totally obliterate paganism.
Based on a political figure near the regime, “the Russians would like to retake Palmyra showing they are protecting tradition in Syria”. The United Nations and UNESCO in particular have been vocal in their lament over Palmyra.
The airstrikes, which started Wednesday, have spared the city of Palmyra but reportedly hit another area nearby controlled by the Islamic State in the central province of Homs.
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Along with ideological opposition to the monuments, ISIS is also funding its “Caliphate” by selling ancient artifacts on the black market, according to reports.
