UN chief slams destruction of Syria temple by Daesh
Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Ban Ki-moon has condemned the “barbaric” destruction of a temple in Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra by Daesh (ISIL) terrorists.
“These barbaric acts of terror join a long list of crimes committed over the past four years in Syria against its civilian population and heritage,” Ban said in a statement on Monday, a day after ISIL blew up the Baal Shamin ancient temple.
The UN chief also reiterated that destroying world cultural sites was “a war crime.” He also called on world countries to “unite and act swiftly to put a stop to this terrorist activity.”
Daesh terrorists planted explosives in the Baal Shamin temple situated about 215 kilometers northeast of the Syrian capital, Damascus, and blew it up on Sunday, Syria’s antiquities chief announced through state media.
Palmyra, where the temple was located, is listed as a world heritage site by the UN cultural body, UNESCO. It is considered one of the ancient world’s most important cultural centers. The ancient city is known for its well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins.
The Baal Shamin temple, which had been built nearly 2,000 years ago, was one of the city’s best-known buildings and previously a tourist attraction for the country.
Daesh took control of Palmyra earlier this year and prompted international concern that the terrorist group might destroy the ancient city.
Syria has been facing a militancy, including by Daesh, since March 2011. The conflict has reportedly claimed more than 230,000 lives up until now.
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