In 2015, Islamic State fighters blew up a 2,000-year-old monument – the Triumphal Arch in Palmyra. The building was an icon of a once-powerful and wealthy city.
Scientists say ISIS is systematically destroying monuments in the city, with the goal of completely destroying the cultural heritage. Since Palmyra was in the hands of Islamic militants, there have been numerous concerns in the media about the future of this place. UNESCO calls ISIS ‘behaviour barbaric’, and the Syrian authorities claim that they have managed to hide thousands of unique ancient statues.
