Press Release: All efforts must be made to save Palmyra
Updated 21 May 2015
Reports on 21 May indicate that ISIS now controls nearly all of Palmyra meaning that the extremist group is in effective cotnrol of half of Syria. They initial assault was rebuffed over the weekend of 16-17 May. Syrian army forces have left the city.
ISIS's capture of Palmyra threaten some of the greatest treasures of the ancient world at Palmyra. All efforts must be made to prevent further damage to this incredible UNESCO World heritage site and the civilian population trapped between both sides. On the one hand Syrian regime forces have already damaged the site over the last four years and failed to prevent looting of its treasures, whilst ISIS acts of savage cultural destruction in Iraq may be mirrored with another act of epic cultural vandalism.
Caabu Director Chris Doyle commented that: “This is as much a fight for Syria’s future as it is for its past. Militarily it is about controlling a strategic location in the centre of Syria. Politically it is about delivering another blow to the Assad regime after the fall of Idlib and Jisr al Shughour. Economically it is about whether Syria keeps intact its extraordinary heritage that would be the pillar of tourism income in any post-war settlement. But is also about identity and culture. For 2,000 years Palmyra has stood in the Syrian desert as a supreme monument to everything ISIS is not – a sophisticated, multicultural and entrepreneurial culture that was a fusion of ancient civilisations. Palmrya is now sandwiched between regime forces fighting for their survival not Syria’s and an extremist vile cult that will celebrate its destruction on You Tube videos the world over. “
Notes to editors:
1) For more information or interviews contact Chris Doyle, on + 44207 832 1321 or +447968 040281.
