The destruction of people is ever present in modern day Syria where lives are lost at the rate of hundreds per day. But on top of the loss of human life there is another assault happening, this time on the heritage of this ancient country. Although the two do not bear comparison, both catastrophes are irreversible.
Syria is lucky to be the scene of multiple world heritage sites, including the entirety of old city in Aleppo. These are sites that have left stunned tourists staring in wonder at the beauty of the ruins, markets, temples and museums.
But civil war is not a time for the preservation of history, particularly when human lives are at stake. In desperation, looters have attacked the rich resources at the sites, looking to make a fast buck and escape the chaos via Turkey or Jordan.
When thieves are not attacking them, Syria’s ancient sites must endure the shells, bullets and fires as the battleground moves to their gates. Although many places have survived the fall of empires, they cannot withstand the weapons of modern warfare.
With some sites dating back more than 5,000 years, it is a tragedy of epic proportions to lose this heritage forever in a bloody civil war seemingly without end.
