Bringing down Palmyra—an oasis city of splendor that reached its glories during the Roman Empire—would be a declaration of war (as if another was needed) against the Western civilization that drew inspiration from these early Greek and Roman cities, now scattered around the Middle East, often in fragile countries like Libya, Lebanon, and Syria. Palmyra known as both the “bride” and the “pearl” of the desert is a remarkable 2,000-year-old historic oasis and UNESCO world heritage site. The Temple of Bel and its surrounding line of sun kissed columns and a hilltop castle were a tourist’s dream and far less busy than Jordan’s more famous Petra. It is a global icon that is now under the sovereignty of a group who are trying to bring about their own “Year Zero” to the region. Destroying history is part of reimagining it under their own auspices and every site and monument that is destroyed or sold, is another victory. Syria is believed to contain archeological sites and historical monuments in greater numbers than almost any other country. The chaos that prevails there in large swathes, not only those areas captured by IS but also those where troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are fighting rebel fighters and Islamist groups, has wreaked havoc on this heritage. Aside from the physical damage, the smuggling of antiquities has also thrived in the shadow of war. Religiously inspired zealots have often engaged in destruction of cultural heritage, not only for ideological but also political reasons. The Afghan Taliban, for instance, sought to convey their contempt for international opinion by destroying the Bamiyan Buddhas. The IS, however, seems to be largely driven by a nihilistic rage unparalleled in its brutality. Meanwhile, as the world stands by and wrings its hands, what survived for thousands of years through war and peace, through the eras of caliphs, kings and despots, is deliberately and methodically being ground into dust.
pk.shafaqna.com
