Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Related Articles
Damascus, SANA- Director General of Antiquities and Museums Directorate Maamoun Abdul-Karim warned that ISIS terrorists planted explosives in the temples and ancient structures in Palmyra, according to initial information which reached the Directorate from locals in Palmyra city.
Abdul-Karim said in a statement to SANA that this information is a bad portent because of the previous tragic experiences relating to ISIS and its methodical vandalism and destruction of ruins in northern Iraq, noting that if such a thing were to happen in the archeological city in Palmyra, this would cause great loss, destruction, and devastation in the most important components of Syrian cultural and historical heritage.
He said that the people of Palmyra have a strong and deep bond with the archeological sites in their city, and hopefully this bond is sufficient to form a resistance front to protect the ruins, expressing hope that members of the local society, families, religious figures, and intellectuals would take a role in preventing this crime against Syria’s heritage and identity, adding that in addition to its immeasurable cultural value, Palmyra is an International tourist site, and any harm to it would cause massive economic losses to Palmyra that will affect the area for generations .
Qabas/ Hazem Sabbagh
