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THIS YEAR EXTREMIST group Isis has carried out vicious attacks throughout the Middle East and Europe.
Included in these has been an onslaught against ancient archeological sites, which the group claims to have ideological justification for.
Here are some of the worst demolitions they have carried out this year.
Nineveh Wall
The ruins of the ancient city of Nineveh had been surrounded by walls that dated back 2,700 years. In January of this year Isis destroyed large sections of the wall with explosives.
Mosul Museum
In February, Isis released a video showing its members destroying the inside of Mosul Museum in northern Iraq. It was later revealed that a large number of the artefacts from inside the museum had been moved to Baghdad, meaning more than three quarters of them were saved.
The ancient city of Nimrud
In March of this year Isis began the destruction of the ancient city of Nimrud. In a video released in April the group’s militants were seen vandalising one of Iraq’s greatest archeological treasures.
The BBC reported that the group claimed to be waging war against what it classified as “false idols”.
Hatra
In April of this year video footage emerged of Isis destroying the Unesco world heritage site Hatra.
The group were seen using bulldozers, sledgehammers and gunfire to destroy the 2,000-year-old ancient fortress.
Bash Tapia Castle
This castle in the north of Iraq dated back to the 12th century and was blown up by Isis in April of this year after their capture of the city of Mosul.
Palmyra
Palmyra was perhaps the most notable landmark destroyed by Isis this year. Video footage showing the group seizing the site was released in May – with destruction of many of its main sites coming soon after.
Palmyra
In June the group continued its destruction of the Palmyra World Heritage Site with demolition of the Lion of Al-lāt, a statue that dated back to the early part of the 1st century.
Further damage to Palmyra
During this period it was reported by conservationists in Syria that the militants had destroyed a number of tower tombs at the Palmyra site dating back to the second century.
Green Church
In September the group destroyed Green Church, a 7th-century Syriac Orthodox Church in the city of Tikrit to the northwest of Baghdad.
Arch of Triumph – Palmyra
In October it was confirmed that the group had destroyed the Arch of Triumph, a 2,000-year-old structure located in the ancient city of Palmyra.
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Well done Gards
Where’s the lad saying that seizures in Dublin are only reported?
Fair play to the Gardaí.
@Fabio Dillon: In fairness he posted yesterday about this . The Journal are a bit late. Maybe the read his comment
Well done Gardai, a lot of brilliant sccess lately. Now the downside—big,big payout for the Free Legal Aid bandits.
@John Mc Donagh: you’re dead right. Why can’t they simply be executed in the Garda station? The constitutional protections afforded to people are a disgrace. RIP IT UP
VOTE SINN FEIN
@Simon Dottcom: That comment explains exactly what voting for SF means and why Ireland does not want a SF government. The IRA has Not gone away
@John Byrne: You’re way off there mate! I’d much prefer the some lad in the boozer in Waterford tackling the Covid 19 crisis rather than Varadkar, a qualified doctor. The Sinners could should “Tiocfaidh ar la” at the virus and it would run like hell away and that’s why I vote Sinn Fein. VOTE SINN FEIN
@Simon Dottcom: Your hatred and vitriol says it all
Strong work men! Stay safe & healthy out there! Peace
Nice one!
Cocaine only exists because people enjoy using it. The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Diego Maradona took it. I don’t see anything positive about this seizure.
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