Syria presidency condemns destruction of Palmyra’s arch

Islamic State group militants blew up the arch on 4 October, making it the latest in a long string of archaeological treasures destroyed by the extremist group.

Syrian Antiquities Director Maamun Abdulkarim warned on Monday of a catastrophe unfolding in Palmyra, which the jihadists have been dismantling since capturing it in May.

Activists on a Facebook page from the city were despondent at the world reaction to Palmyra’s destruction, warning that Assad should not be viewed as the city’s savior. Activists have said that Islamic State extremists, who are in control of the ancient city, blew up the arch.

In August, the Sunni extremist group destroyed the first-century shrine of Baalshamin and another 2,000-year-old Temple of Bel, regarded as Palmyra’s masterpiece, as part of its campaign to obliterate pre-Islamic monuments, tombs and statues it considers idolatrous.

A file photo of tourists walking near the famous Arch of Triumph of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra.

The city’s ancient ruins have been repurposed as a stage for executions and local residents say that underage girls have been forced to marry a few of the group’s fighters.

Ms. Bokova also said that there would be no impunity for war criminals, and that UNESCO would make every effort to ensure that those responsible for the destruction of the Arch would be tried and punished.

Analyst Charlie Winter of the London-based Quilliam Foundation think tank said such destruction was a “low-risk, cheap” way for IS to raise its profile among potential new recruits and grab headlines.

According to a political figure close to the Syrian government, “the Russians want to retake Palmyra to show that they are protecting heritage in Syria”.

“We now fear for the entire city”.

A military source told Syrian state television that the latest strikes had destroyed 20 jihadi tanks and three weapons depots in Palmyra.

The arch was one of the elements marking Palmyra’s unique combination of ancient Syria’s Nabataean culture with Greek and Roman elements.