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Palmyra's Temple of Bel destroyed, says UN Palmyra's Temple of Bel destroyed, says UN
(about 1 hour later)
A satellite image confirms that the main temple in the ancient city of Palmyra in northern Syria has been destroyed, the United Nations says. A satellite image confirms the main temple in the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria has been destroyed by Islamic State (IS) militants, the UN says.
There had been earlier reports of an explosion at the Temple of Bel in Palmyra, which is held by militants from the Islamic State (IS) group. Syria's head of antiquities had suggested on Monday that the Temple of Bel was still standing, despite reports a massive explosion over the weekend.
Syria's antiquities chief had earlier said the basic structure of the 2,000-year-old site was intact. But Unosat analysts said the main structure had been reduced to rubble, as well as a line of columns beside it.
But UN satellite analysts Unosat say the image shows almost nothing remains. IS captured the Unesco World Heritage site from government forces in May.
"Unfortunately, the images we acquired do show that the main building of the temple has been destroyed," Einar Bjorgo, Unosat's manager, told the BBC early on Tuesday."Unfortunately, the images we acquired do show that the main building of the temple has been destroyed," Einar Bjorgo, Unosat's manager, told the BBC early on Tuesday.
He added that a set of columns nearby had also been flattened. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) considered the Temple of Bel - the great sanctuary of the Palmyrene gods - one of the most important religious buildings of the 1st Century AD in the East.
A local man, Khaled al-Homsi, told the BBC: "Whenever we hear of these explosions or destructions of important monuments... it's like losing a part of yourself, a part of history, a part of world knowledge." Maamoun Abdul Karim, the head of the Syrian Department of Antiquities and Museums, said its destruction was a "catastrophe".
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) had said the Temple of Bel was one of the most important religious buildings of the 1st Century AD in the East and was of unique design. "I feel very sad and I am very pessimistic... for the future of Palmyra," he told BBC Radio 5 live.
"I am sure we will have more bad images [in the future] because these people... are ignorant, they are very criminal," he added. "They don't respect any image, any identity of the people."
Ancient city of PalmyraAncient city of Palmyra
IS threat to 'Venice of the Sands'IS threat to 'Venice of the Sands'
History's lesson in how to save artefactsHistory's lesson in how to save artefacts
Understanding sadness at loss of sitesUnderstanding sadness at loss of sites
Syrian ruins that influenced the WestSyrian ruins that influenced the West
On Monday, Maamoun Abdul Karim, the head of the Syrian Department of Antiquities and Museums, had said the Temple of Bel suffered a large explosion, but that he believed most of the site had remained intact. Mr Abdul Karim had said on Monday that there was a large explosion at the Temple of Bel, but that he believed most of the site remained intact.
Witnesses had struggled to get close to the site to confirm the extent of the damage. The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the temple is bounded by a high perimeter wall, and the whole sprawling site of Palmyra is controlled by IS, so it would have been hard for outside witnesses on the ground to verify what had happened without putting themselves at risk.
IS has previously targeted historical sites in areas under its control in Iraq and Syria, regarding their ancient temples and sculptures as heretical. IS has ransacked and demolished several similar ancient sites that pre-date Islam in Iraq, denouncing them as symbols of "idolatry".
The sale of looted antiquities is one of the group's main sources of funding. It has also been accused of destroying ancient sites to gain publicity. The sale of looted antiquities is nevertheless one of the group's main sources of funding. It has also been accused of destroying ancient sites to gain publicity.
Authorities removed hundreds of statues and priceless objects before IS tightened its grip on Palmyra earlier this year. Authorities removed hundreds of statues and priceless objects before IS overran Palmyra earlier this year.
Last week, it was confirmed that another site at Palmyra, the Temple of Baalshamin, had been blown up. Last week, it was confirmed that another important site at Palmyra, the Temple of Baalshamin, had been blown up.
Unosat released satellite images showing the extent of the damage, proving that parts were heavily damaged or completely destroyed.Unosat released satellite images showing the extent of the damage, proving that parts were heavily damaged or completely destroyed.
IS militants seized control of Palmyra in May, sparking fears for the World Heritage site. Earlier last month, the group beheaded 81-year-old Khaled al-Asaad, the archaeologist who had looked after the Palmyra ruins for 40 years.
Earlier this month the group murdered 81-year-old Khaled al-Asaad, the archaeologist who had looked after the Palmyra ruins for 40 years.
The world-famous Greco-Roman ruins of Palmyra are in the desert north-east of the Syrian capital, Damascus.The world-famous Greco-Roman ruins of Palmyra are in the desert north-east of the Syrian capital, Damascus.
The Temple of Bel is dedicated to the Palmyrene gods and was one of the best-preserved parts of the ancient city.
Syrian government forces have sought to drive IS out of the Palmyra area in recent months and there has been fierce fighting in nearby towns.Syrian government forces have sought to drive IS out of the Palmyra area in recent months and there has been fierce fighting in nearby towns.