ISIS Destroys Another Ancient Landmark
- 9 years ago
A 2,000-year-old arch in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra is the latest casualty by ISIS militants.
Professor Maamoun Abduilkarim, the country's director of antiquities, confirmed that ISIS Sunday blew up the Arch of Triumph, one of the city's most recognizable sites.
"Shocked" and "shameful," he told ABC News, noting that unlike the two temples that were destroyed earlier this year, the arch has no religious significance.
The arch was known to locals as the "Bridge of the Desert" because it linked the Roman Empire to Persia and the East.
Professor Abduilkarim said he had not seen photos or videos of the devastation, but learned reports from eyewitnesses.
"They're destroying building by building," he said, "within three to six months, at this pace, we're going to lose Palmyra."
Professor Maamoun Abduilkarim, the country's director of antiquities, confirmed that ISIS Sunday blew up the Arch of Triumph, one of the city's most recognizable sites.
"Shocked" and "shameful," he told ABC News, noting that unlike the two temples that were destroyed earlier this year, the arch has no religious significance.
The arch was known to locals as the "Bridge of the Desert" because it linked the Roman Empire to Persia and the East.
Professor Abduilkarim said he had not seen photos or videos of the devastation, but learned reports from eyewitnesses.
"They're destroying building by building," he said, "within three to six months, at this pace, we're going to lose Palmyra."