Various reports from Syria have revealed that Islamic State militants have blown up 2,000-year-old Arch of Triumph in their latest act of cultural vandalism.
Officials in the Syrian government have confirmed the news stating that one of the jewel in the exquisite collection of ruins in the oasis city – Palmyra’s Arch of Triumph – has been destroyed in an explosion.
Palmyra is pegged as one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world and is known to have linked the Roman Empire to Persia and the East.
The news of destruction of the Arch of Triumph comes just days after the militants destroyed some of Palmyra’s funeral towers, sandstone constructions built to hold the remains of the city’s richest families. Earlier in August, the militants blew up the temple of Baal Shamin, then the Temple of Bel, one of the best preserved sites.
This is not the beginning of cultural vandalism as militants have been destroying ancient monuments and buildings across the regions under its control claiming that these buildings are an affront to their twisted interpretation of Islam.
UNESCO has strongly condemned the destruction of World Heritage Sites as well as other ancient buildings and monuments suggesting that they are war crimes and has said on multiple occasions that IS militants are effectively wiping out evidence of Syria’s diverse heritage.
Protecting Cultural Heritage—An Imperative for Humanity
In the last week of September, UNESCO announced an international initiative with the aim of providing enhanced protection to cultural heritage across the world targeted by terrorists and illicit traffickers. The initiative was launched on the sidelines of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Called “Protecting Cultural Heritage—An Imperative for Humanity”, the initiative will see participation from UNESCO, INTERPOL and the UNODC as well as ministers from a number of UN Member States. The main goal of the programme is to follow up on resolutions and decisions adopted by the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly and other international bodies.
Rallying partners to enhance the protection of cultural heritage, Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, said: “Cultural heritage is a reflection of human history, civilization and the coexistence of multiple peoples and their ways of life. Its protection is a shared responsibility of the international community, in the interest of future generations.”
