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UNESCO Chief: ’ISIL’ Systematically Destroying Heritage Sites

UNESCO Chief: ’ISIL’ Systematically Destroying Heritage Sites
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"ISIL" extremists in Syria and Iraq are engaged in the "most brutal, systematic" destruction of ancient sites since World War II, the head of the UN cultural agency said Friday - a stark warning that came hours after militants demolished a monastery with ancient foundations in central Syria.

UNESCO Chief: ’ISIL’ Systematically Destroying Heritage Sites

UNESCO chief Irina Bokova stated that the world's only recourse is to try to prevent the sale of looted artifacts, thus cutting off a lucrative stream of income for the militants.

Recent attacks have stoked fears that "ISIL" is accelerating its campaign to demolish and loot heritage sites.

On Friday, witnesses said the militants bulldozed St. Elian Monastery which houses a 5th century tomb and served as a major pilgrimage site. Days earlier, "ISIL" beheaded an 81-year-old antiquities scholar who had dedicated his life to overseeing the ruins of Palmyra in Syria, one of the Middle East's most spectacular archaeological sites.

Since capturing areas in Syria and Iraq last year, "ISIL" militants have destroyed mosques, churches and archaeological sites, causing extensive damage to the ancient cities of Nimrud, Hatra and Dura-Europos in Iraq. In May, they seized Palmyra, the Roman-era city on the edge of a modern town of the same name.

"We haven't seen something similar since the Second World War," Bokova said of the scope of the "ISIL" campaign against ancient sites. "I think this is the biggest attempt, the most brutal systematic destruction of world heritage."

Bokova said recent images of archaeological sites under "ISIL" control in Iraq and Syria show signs of widespread illegal digging and looting. "If you look at the maps, the photos, the satellite pictures of it, you will not recognize one place," she said. "It is just hundreds of holes all around them."

There is very little the world can do to stop the extremists from inflicting more damage, she said, but stopping the trafficking in artefacts must be a priority.

Furthermore, Bokova spoke hours after "ISIL" posted photos on social media showing bulldozers destroying the St Elian Monastery near the town of Qaryatain in central Syria.

A Qaryatain resident who recently fled to Damascus said militants levelled the shrine and removed church bells.

Palmyra has remained largely intact, but Bokova said "we know that some of the destruction is starting".

She further added that she is worried about most of the ancient sites in Syria, with some of the damage, including to the Crusader castle of Crac de Chevaliers, caused by fighting.

"Nothing is safe," she said, speaking on the sidelines of a youth conference in Madaba, Jordan.

Archaeological sites in northern Iraq have also been hit hard. The destruction there, including smashing ancient statues with a sledgehammer, is a "huge tragedy for all of humanity", Bokova said.

She said the international community is stepping up efforts to halt the trade in looted antiquities from Syria and Iraq.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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