Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Paris, SANA – Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Irina Bokova on Friday denounced the recent destruction of archaeological relics from Palmyra in city at the hands of ISIS terrorists, particularly the destruction of funerary statues and the Lion of Allat (also spelled Al-Lat) statue.
In a statement, Bokova said that these acts show the barbaric and ignorant nature of extremist groups, and that the sight of funerary statues being destroyed in a public square before a crowd that contains children witnessing the destruction of their heritage is a disturbing site.
She called on all religious figures, intellectuals, and youths to rally against the exploitation of religion and to confront the false arguments employed by hate-mongers.
Earlier on Thursday, Director General of Museums and Antiquities in Syria Ma’moun Abdelkarim told SANA that ISIS terrorists destroyed the statue of “Allat Goddess” which is one of the most important statues uncovered in Syria, dating back to the 2nd century AD, standing at 3.5 meters hight and weighting 15 tons.
Abdelkarim had said that according to social media sites, ISIS terrorists also destroyed eight statues stolen by smugglers from burial chambers in Palmyra.
Palmyra, which is listed on the World Heritage Sites list, has been subjected to methodical acts of terrorism and at the hands of ISIS since May 20th, with terrorists vandalizing relics and committing massacres against locals, claiming the lives of at least 400 civilians.
Hazem Sabbagh
