The Syrian Army has recaptured Palmyra. It is a big blow to the ISIS. The international community is happy. US air strikes had been telling on the ISIS power. But last May the ISIS took Palmyra, a UNESCO heritage site. It is surprising that it was Russia which is against the Assad regime which has made the recapture of Palmyra possible. It was Russia’s military intervention which enabled the Syrian Government to regroup. Its attack on Raqqa and DeirEzzor is about to be launched.
Last August, ,Palmyra’s director Khaled- al- Assad was executed as he refused to tell the ISIS where the smaller artefacts were hidden. It has now been revealed what damage has been done to Palmyra. Apart from the famous structures, countless artifacts in the Palmyra museum have been the victims of ISIS vandalism.
It will take time to assess the extent of the damage. The basement which housed hundreds of statues has been blown away with dynamite. The Syrian Antiquities Chief says that restoration/ of Palmyra treasures will take five years. It has been a tragedy in the history of civilization. It is to be seen what impact the revelations have on the Geneva talks where western powers are trying to hammer out a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis. What role Vladimir Putin’s Russia will play is not altogether clear.
