The Islamic State blew up the ancient Bul (or Bel) Temple in Palmyra this week.
The temple is one of the most important ancient temples in the Middle East.
The Bel temple, consecrated to the Semitic god Bel, worshipped at Palmyra in triad with the lunar god Aglibol and the sun god Yarhibol, formed the center of religious life in Palmyra and was dedicated in 32 CE.
#BREAKING #ISIS Destroyed Bul Temple in #Palmyra one of the biggest most important Temple In the Middle East #Syria pic.twitter.com/1FQ65hHKRq
— الرقة ØªØ°Ø¨Ø Ø¨ØµÙ…Øª (@Raqqa_SL) August 30, 2015
LAST WEEK – ISIS blew up the Temple of Baal Shamin in Palmyra.
The temple is one of the most important historic sites in the ancient Roman city of Palmyra.
Now confirmed: #ISIS blew up temple of Baal Shamin, one of most important sites in #Palmyra. http://t.co/8NaLPuoFC7 pic.twitter.com/FD7sPVxPg8
— Julie Lenarz (@MsIntervention) August 23, 2015
Aljazeera reported:
Sources say ISIL has detonated more than 30 tonnes of explosives in one of ancient city’s most significant structures.
Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have blown up part of the Temple of Bel in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, sources have told Al Jazeera.
An Al Jazeera reporter in the Syrian city of Homs was told that ISIL on Sunday detonated more than 30 tonnes of explosives at the temple, regarded as one of the most significant structures in Palmyra.
Activists on the ground also said that the temple has been damaged in the blast.