IS publishes images of Palmyra temple destruction
Islamic State releases screenshots presumably from video, showing demolition of ancient Baal Shamin temple
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The Islamic State group on Tuesday published images showing the destruction of the Baal Shamin temple in Syria’s Palmyra, after international condemnation of the act.
The series of images showed militants placing barrels and small containers, presumably containing explosives, into the temple, as well as similar containers placed on parts of its columns.
The images, which appeared to be screenshots from a video, also showed a large explosion apparently as the temple was blown up, and then a pile of rubble at its former location.
The temple, which is considered ancient Palmyra’s second-most significant site, was reportedly destroyed on Sunday and news of its demolition sparked international condemnation.
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![Islamic State fighters bring explosives to an ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on or around August 25, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]](https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2015/08/1110-200x200.jpg "Islamic State fighters bring explosives to an ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on or around August 25, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]")
- Islamic State fighters bring explosives to an ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on or around August 25, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]
![Islamic State fighters bring explosives to an ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on or around August 25, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]](https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2015/08/1110.jpg "Islamic State fighters bring explosives to an ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on or around August 25, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]")
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![Improvised explosives prior to detonation in the ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]](https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2015/08/14-200x200.jpg "Improvised explosives prior to detonation in the ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]")
- Improvised explosives prior to detonation in the ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]
![Improvised explosives prior to detonation in the ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]](https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2015/08/14.jpg "Improvised explosives prior to detonation in the ancient archaeological site in Tadmor, Syria, on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Known as Palmyra, the city is a UN-recognized World Heritage Site. The IS have been systematic in destroying evidence of cultures other than Islam in the territory they control. [Courtesy]")
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- Improvised explosives prior to detonation in the ancient archaeological site in Palmyra, Syria, on Sunday, August 23, 2015. (courtesy)
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- Destroyed ruins at the ancient archaeological site in Palmyra, Syria, on Sunday, August 23, 2015. (courtesy)
The head of the UN’s cultural watchdog, Irina Bokova, called the act a “new war crime and an immense loss for the Syrian people and for humanity.”
Palmyra ancient ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site and IS’s capture of the town on May 21 raised concerns the group would lay waste to it as it has done with heritage sites under its control elsewhere.
The Times of Israel Community.