In pictures: Heritage sites in Iraq and Syria under threat from ISIS militants
BEIRUT – There are fears that the historic Syrian city of Palmyra could go the way of similar locations in Iraq, following news that Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) militants had captured it from pro-government forces on Wednesday.
The Unesco World Heritage Site, home to some of the world’s most breathtaking ancient ruins, once belonged to an oasis civilisation on the Silk Road that existed for close to 2,000 years.
While some of the city’s prized artefacts have already been moved to nearby cities, most of its monuments are too heavy and are now under threat of looting and destruction from ISIS, who are notorious for razing such sites.
Unesco has also stepped in to call for an end to the fighting, urging the world to do everything it can to protect the population “and safeguard the unique cultural heritage”.
In January this year, the militants reportedly bombed large swathes of the ancient Niveneh Wall, which had stood in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul for 2,700 years.
They then released a video the following month showing militants, armed with sledgehammers and other tools, destroying statues and artefacts in the Mosul Museum.
Other ancient cities in Iraq – Dur-Sharrukin, Hatra and Nimrud (dubbed the jewel of Assyrian culture) – were bulldozed by ISIS and suffered extensive damage, with the international community united in their condemnation of the group’s actions.
Sources: Reuters, BBC, The Guardian
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