Syria Terrorists Evacuate, Loot Daraa Historic Sites

Local Editor

An official source at Syrian Antiquities department said that 11 historic towns and sites in the Daraa came under attack and sabotage by the armed terrorist groups, causing huge damages to their layers and looting their rich values.

"The majority of regions which were subject to acts of secret excavations, sabotage and looting are in Daraa's western countryside where the armed terrorist groups are active, " the source added.

He further clarified that those regions are well-known of their historic richness as they are considered one of the most ancient sites in the world where they have witnessed the succession of a number of civilizations.

"Tal Shihab was one of the sites which witnessed acts of digging in the historic hill, the surrounding valley and on the two banks of the railway to the south of hill in addition to excavations of the walls and mills of Tal shihab," the source said.

In parallel, he confirmed that "acts of secret excavations extended to Kharab al-Shahm town and to the bottom of the valley through hand-made tools and heavy vehicles, while Sahm al-Jolan has witnessed the demolition of historic houses and secret excavations in addition to the border villages of Abdeen, Tal al-Ashaari which are considered as one of the most important historic sites in Syria."

"The families in the area notified the Directorate about the existence of groups dividing themselves to 5 workshops which periodically excavate the sites through heavy vehicles, and this indicates to a systemized looting process of the historic belongings of Tal al-Ashaarai," the source said.

He confirmed that the systemized terrorism against Syria's civilization and history is considered as a big crime, and those who trade with the Syrian treasures don't differ from the perpetrators of bloody crimes.

The source called on the neighboring countries, particularly Jordan to assume responsibility, retune the looted ruins and extradite the thieves to the Syrian authorities.

Source: SANA, Edited by website team