Daesh destroys ancient tombs in Syria’s Palmyra

HOMS, Syria

The Daesh militant group on Friday destroyed more ancient monuments in Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra, according to local sources.

Homs-based activist Osama al-Humsi told Anadolu Agency that Daesh militants had destroyed at least seven ancient tombs in Palmyra – a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Syria’s central-western Homs province.

Last week, the extremist group caused drew international outrage after it destroyed Palmyra’s ancient Temple of Bel, built by the Romans in 32 AD.

And earlier this month, Daesh demolished the Temple of Baalshamin, another ancient temple in Palmyra – an act UNESCO chief Irina Bokova described as a “war crime”.

Daesh took control of Palmyra in May.

Syria’s devastating civil conflict, now in its fifth year, has left tens of thousands of people dead and millions displaced.

The conflict, which has left the country divided between several heavily-armed warring factions, has served as a breeding ground for Daesh, which currently controls significant portions of both Syria and Iraq.