Monday 31 August 2015


ISIS blows up ‘one of greatest sites’ of ancient world in Syria

BEIRUT: Islamic State jihadists in Syria severely damaged the Bel temple, considered one of the greatest sites of the ancient world, in a massive explosion on Sunday, activists said.

The 2,000-year-old temple was part of the remains of the ancient caravan city of Palmyra in central Syria, seized by ISIS in May.

The news of the latest destruction at Palmyra came just days after ISIS released propaganda images purportedly showing militants blowing up another Palmyra temple, the 2,000-year-old Baalshamin dedicated to the Phoenician god of storms and fertilizing rains.

The UN cultural agency Unesco, which has designated Palmyra as a world heritage site, called the destruction of the Baalshamin temple a war crime.
 

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