HOMS, Syria
Irina Bokova, UNESCO director general, has expressed in a written statement Thursday her deep concern over the safety of the Palmyra historical site in Homs province in western Syria.
Fierce clashes, including heavy shelling, took place late Thursday between the Syrian regime and Daesh on the outskirts of the city of Tadmur where Palmyra is located. Clashes came after Daesh had taken control of the town of al-Sokhna located 70 kilometers east of Tadmur.
"The site has already suffered four years of conflict, it suffered from looting and represents an irreplaceable treasure for the Syrian people and for the world,” Bokova said.
“I appeal to all parties to protect Palmyra and make every effort to prevent its destruction,” Bokova said.
Khaled al-Homsi, a member of Tadmur’s media coordination, told Anadolu Agency late Thursday that regime forces had launched two missiles near the historical site for the first time since clashes erupted in the area. He added, that they also targeted the al-Ameriya district, in the northern part of the city, where Daesh forces are located.
Daesh has besieged the city for two days, al-Homsi said.
The Palmyra site belongs dates from the first century and boasts architecture representing mixed cultures, according to UNESCO.
Daesh was accused of destroying another Mosul historical site at the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud inn March.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on March condemned the "systematic" destruction of Iraq's cultural treasures by Daesh militants and UNESCO’s Director General Irina Bokova called it a "war crime."
