Shit. ISIS Poised to Destroy Another World Treasure: Palymyra

[cali]

I really do hate these atavistic fucks. And I have no problem calling them every name in the book.

Islamic State militants advanced to the outskirts of the Syrian town of Palmyra on Thursday, putting the extremist group within striking distance of some of the world’s most magnificent antiquities.

That raised fears that the ancient city of Palmyra, with its complex of columns, tombs and ancient temples dating to the first century A.D., could be looted or destroyed. Militants from the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, have already destroyed large parts of ancient sites at Nimrud, Hatra and Nineveh in Iraq. Islamic State leaders denounce pre-Islamic art and architecture as idolatrous even as they sell smaller, more portable artifacts to finance their violent rampage through the region.

The fighting on Thursday took place little more than a mile from the city’s grand 2,000-year-old ruins, which stand as the crossroad of Greek, Roman, Persian and Islamic cultures.

People in Palmyra described a state of anxiety and chaos, with residents trying to flee the northern neighborhoods. Shelling could be heard in the background as they spoke over Skype. according to residents and one government soldier, fighting elsewhere, scores of soldiers and pro-government militiamen fighting in the east and north of the town had been killed by Islamic State fighters since Monday.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/15/world/middleeast/ancient-ruins-at-palmyra-are-endangered-by-isis-advance-in-syria.html

In other ISIS news:

Islamic State takes Ramadi government center; government troops fleeing

<snip>

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article21077055.html

[cali]

1. a tragedy of immense proportion in the making

I so hope this can be stopped.

[NuclearDem]

2. Motherfuckers.

My vocabulary isn't rich enough to accurately portray my feelings about these assholes.

[cali]

4. Mine either. I struggled to come up with "atavistic fucks"

It's seems pitiably weak to carry the weight of my sentiments.

[LittleBlue]

3. Nooooooo

Palmyra is so beautiful. Always dreamed of seeing it some day when the Middle East calmed down. After 2000 years and god-knows how many earthquakes, it falls to these scum.

And this is after the Krak des Chevalier has also been damaged

[world wide wally]

5. I can't understand any possible attraction to these assholes to anyone ...

Especially kids in the western world.
Get a grip, assholes.

[lonestarnot]

6. The only thing they know how to make is shit pie.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. They only destroy the big stuff.

The portable stuff goes on the market, to help finance their activities.

They are a strange group, I don't know what they accomplish with the destruction. But, then, I didn't understand the destruction in Baltimore, either.

Maybe it's a kind of statement.

[cali]

8. linking what happened in Baltimore to ISIS, is disgraceful.

really shameful.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. No link intended,

just noting the difference in perception of two destructive events.

[dhill926]

10. crimes against humanity...

assholes...

[ChisolmTrailDem]

11. And the legacy of george w. bush continues to manifest itself. nt

[hifiguy]

12. Nihilist goat-fuckers.

I wish there were a hell for these shits to burn in.

[cali]

13. Beyond the human misery they've inflicted, what they've done in

the way of looting and destruction of antiquities and world heritage sites, is unbelievably awful.

[MoonRiver]

15. They're awaiting their 1000 heavenly virgins.

But no, they're not waiting. They're kidnapping 8 and 9 year old yazidi kids to sexually abuse. Rat bastards!

[brooklynite]

14. I visited Palmyra 4 years ago; the Roman ruins are exquisite...

The Roman Street runs for close to a mile.