IS destroys ancient mausoleums in Palmyra

Islamic State group fighters have destroyed two ancient Muslim mausoleums in the historic Syrian city of Palmyra, the country’s antiquities director said Tuesday.

Maamoun Abdulkarim said IS jihadists blew up the tombs of Mohammed bin Ali, a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed’s cousin, and Nizar Abu Bahaaeddine, a religious figure from Palmyra, three days ago.

Bin Ali’s burial place is located in a mountainous region four kilometers (almost three miles) north of Palmyra, in central Syria.

Photos published by IS depicted two armed men carrying canisters, apparently filled with explosives, walking up the rocky hill to the site.

Abu Bahaaeddine’s tomb, nestled in a leafy oasis about 500 meters (yards) from Palmyra’s ancient ruins, is said to be more than five centuries old.

IS has destroyed at least 50 mausoleums dating between 100-200 years old in the regions under its control in north and east Syria, the antiquities director said.

“They consider these Islamic mausoleums to be against their beliefs, and they ban all visits to these sites,” Abulkarim said.

Ten days ago, fighters from the jihadist group also destroyed a number of tombstones at a cemetery for Palmyra residents, Abulkarim told AFP.

“All tombs with marble designs were destroyed. For them, graves should not be visible,” he said.

— AFP