Satellite images reveal 24 out of the 290 cultural heritage sites in Syria were completely destroyed, 189 severely or moderately damaged and 77 possibly damaged, according to Press TV.
“Looting, destruction from aerial bombardment and other explosions, as well as infrastructure construction at cultural sites significantly threatens the heritage to future generations of these historic structures and objects,” the UN report said.
This is “an alarming testimony of the ongoing damage that is happening to Syria’s vast cultural heritage,” UNITAR said.
“National and international efforts for the protection of these areas need to be scaled up in order to save as much as possible of this important heritage (for) humankind,” the report said.
UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage sites, mostly in the northern city of Aleppo, including the fabled desert Greco-Roman oasis of Palmyra, have been exposed to major damage, the report said.
The Old City of Aleppo, Bosra, Damascus, the Dead Cities of northern Syria as well as Crac des Chevaliers have been damaged as well, according to UNITAR.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. More than 170,000 people have been killed and millions displaced.
