IS vandals destroy ancient amphitheatre at Syria's Palmyra

Parts of a Roman amphitheatre in Palmyra have been sabotaged by Islamic State militants, Syria state news has reported, a month after extremists recaptured the ancient city from regime hands.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

20 January, 2017

The ancient city of Palmyra is a UNESCO World Heritage site [AFP]

Islamic State group militants have destroyed parts of the ancient Roman amphitheatre in the historic city of Palmyra, Syria's state-run news agency has said.

The militants destroyed "the facade" of the second-century amphitheater along with the tetrapylon, a cubic shaped ancient Roman monument, SANA reported.

There are currently no further details or information on when the monuments were blown up.

Syrian opposition monitors confirmed that IS destroyed parts of the amphitheatre and the tetrapylon.

The extremists recaptured the ancient city in December from regime forces — nine months after IS was expelled in a Russia-backed offensive.

Palmyra is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its recapture by IS gave the hardline group a propaganda boost as they face assaults on two of their key strongholds - Raqqa in Syria and Iraq's second city Mosul.

IS destroyed ancient temples and other relics last year, including the antiquities at Nimrud, Iraq.