(Zaman Al Wasl)- ISIS militants have destroyed the historic Tetrapylon and severely destroyed the Roman Theatre in Palmyra, the UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980, residents told Zaman al-Wasl.
Local sources in Palmyra reported to Zaman al-Wasl that the Islamic State (ISIS) has lately blown off the Tetrapylon site and parts of the famous Roman theatre in the prominent historical city of Palmyra.
The revolution coordination of Palmyra city confirmed that ISIS had destroyed the Tetrapylon located mid of the long road, around 300 meters northern of victory arch, and parts of the inner part of the Roman theatre.
Head of the coordination told Zaman al-Wasl’s correspondent in Homs that they were informed about the destruction a week ago by residents of the city and members of regime’s forces.
He added that they contacted the organisation of international heritage to provide them with latest images of places claimed to be exploded. “Yesterday we received images which showed that Tetrapylon appeared to have been intentionally destroyed using explosives, as two columns remain standing, but the majority of the structure has been severely damaged”.
He detailed that images showed partial destruction of the Roman theatre as only the backstage part of it was affected, while it is still safe.
Palmyra, the “Bride of the Desert”, as Syrians proud to call, is situated about 200 km northeast of Damascus, is on the UNESCO’s international heritage since 1980, it used to attract 105,000 visitors a year.
ISIS had September 2015 demolished the famed Temple of Bel as part of its campaign to destroy pre-Islamic monuments it considers idolatrous, and October they blew up the Arch of Triumph.
Tetrapylon is grand platform with four columns at each corner topped by a massive Corinth. It is called a Tetrakionion, in which the four corners of the structure are not connected overhead. Each of the four groups of pillars in the tetrapylon supports 150,000kg of solid cornice.
Columns were made of pink granite brought from Egypt, but only one was still standing before ISIS's act, while the others were reconstructed with granite.
ISIS had regained control of Palmyra in the mid December last year, which marked a new revive for ISIS and sparked new fears by the Assad regime that was celebrating Aleppo collapse.
ISIS had controlled Palmyra May 2015, however the Syrian regime recaptured it again March 2016.
Russia’s support and airstrikes in Palmyra battle were not useful in helping the regime forces to prevent ISIS from recapturing Palmyra end of last year.
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