ISIS destroys part of ancient Roman theater in Palmyra

ISIS militants have destroyed a tetrapylon and part of a Roman theatre in the ancient city of Palmyra in the group’s latest attack on Syria’s heritage

The Roman Theatre in the ancient city of Palmyra has been partially destroyed by ISIS militants
The Roman Theatre in the ancient city of Palmyra has been partially destroyed by ISIS militants

ISIS militants have destroyed a landmark ancient Roman monument and parts of the theatre in Syria’s historic town of Palmyra, the government and opposition monitoring groups said Friday.

Maamoun Abdulkarim, the head of Syria’s antiquities department, said the militants destroyed the facade of the second-century theatre along with the Tetrapylon, a cubic-shaped ancient Roman monument that sits in the middle of the colonnade road that leads to the theatre.

“This is a horror film and we will see more of it, as long as the city is under their control it will remain a hostage,” Abdulkarim said.

“This is a scandal. Palmyra is occupied and there is no outrage from the international community. We are trying to protect a civilisation. It’s beyond political considerations. There needs to be international solidarity.”

Abdulkarim said only two of the 16 columns of the Tetrapylon remain standing. The stage backdrop has sustained damage, according to US-based American Schools of Oriental Research.

The militants also blew up the Arch of Triumph, which had been built under Roman emperor Septimius Severus between AD 193 and AD 211, Associated Press reported.

The antiquities directorate said he learned of the destruction 10 days earlier but chose not to release the details until the publication of satellite images by researchers from Boston university.

ISIS first captured Palmyra, once a Silk Road oasis that boasted some of the best-preserved ruins of antiquity, in May 2015.

Syrian and Russian forces reclaimed the city from ISIS in March, but lost it again to a counter-offensive in December.

Militants rampaged through the city’s museums and ruins, blowing up the 2,000-year-old towering Temple of Bel and the Arch of Victory along with other priceless artefacts. They also killed Khaled al-Asaad, Palmyra’s long-serving leading archaeologist.