The actions of ISIS know no bounds. Not only the barbaric killing of civilians, but now the wanton destruction of Palmyra in Syria. We should all mourn this loss of part of our history and heritage.
Two satellite images show the destructyion of the Temple of Bel in Palmyra. Photograph: Reuters
"Syria’s top antiquities official has said that the world is witnessing the systematic destruction of Palmyra, and that he has lost all hope of the historic city’s treasures being salvaged while Islamic State militants stalk the ruins.
Speaking after satellite images confirmed the destruction of the Temple of Bel, Maamoun Abdulkarim said the militants had also begun excavations in the city to unearth artefacts to be sold on the black market. He said they would continue to plunder the ancient Silk Road oasis town barring international action or intervention by the Syrian military. “This is the start of the total loss of Palmyra in the coming days,” he said. “The city is being raped.”
Abdulkarim said that only the gate and surrounding columns and walls remain of the ancient temple. “Even earthquakes would have been less horrible,” he said. “The temple was the most iconic and one of the most beautiful in Syria, and we have lost it.”
“We have lost all hope. We have lost all hope that the international community will resist and we lost hope of any international movement to save the city,” he said. “These are savages and will attack other structures. This is a cultural war and everyone should unite, whether they support the government or the opposition.”
The systematic purging of Palmyra would constitute one of the most devastating losses of historical treasures in recent memory. It is one of the best preserved sites from antiquity, its ancient temples and buildings dating back to the first century AD, though the city was settled earlier."
Speaking after satellite images confirmed the destruction of the Temple of Bel, Maamoun Abdulkarim said the militants had also begun excavations in the city to unearth artefacts to be sold on the black market. He said they would continue to plunder the ancient Silk Road oasis town barring international action or intervention by the Syrian military. “This is the start of the total loss of Palmyra in the coming days,” he said. “The city is being raped.”
Abdulkarim said that only the gate and surrounding columns and walls remain of the ancient temple. “Even earthquakes would have been less horrible,” he said. “The temple was the most iconic and one of the most beautiful in Syria, and we have lost it.”
“We have lost all hope. We have lost all hope that the international community will resist and we lost hope of any international movement to save the city,” he said. “These are savages and will attack other structures. This is a cultural war and everyone should unite, whether they support the government or the opposition.”
The systematic purging of Palmyra would constitute one of the most devastating losses of historical treasures in recent memory. It is one of the best preserved sites from antiquity, its ancient temples and buildings dating back to the first century AD, though the city was settled earlier."
Comments