ERASING HISTORY

ISIS Is Destroying Historic Monuments in Syria Again

Including historic theater in Syria’s Palmyra.

ISIS militants have resumed destroying historic monuments in Syria, notably an ancient Roman theater in Palmyra, officials said. According to the country’s antiquities agency, the façade of the centuries-old theater was badly damaged. In addition, militants destroyed the Tetrapylon, a cube-shaped monument near the theater. The damage was likely done last month, an official told the AP, but satellite images were only recently released. According to the American Schools of Oriental Research, which provided the satellite images, ISIS was likely to blame for the vandalism, although it could not pinpoint the exact cause. Palmyra, referred to by Syrians as the “Bride of the Desert,” contains many historical artifacts and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.