SHOTLIST: PALMYRA, HOMS, SYRIA (APR. 8, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF ANCIENT PALMYRA CITY 2. VARIOUS OF RUINS OF PALMYRA, ANCIENT STRUCTURES, TOURISTS AROUND SITE/ DESTRUCTED PARTS OF ANCIENT STRUCTURES 3. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ZAHIR SELIM, MEMBER OF CIVIL COMMITTEE OF PALMYRA SAYING: “Palmyra’s historical heritage suffered great damage during ISIS’s approximately nine-month occupation.” “The subsequent assaults by regime and Russian forces further deepened the destruction. After ISIS withdrew, the ancient city was looted by regime forces.” “In addition to historical artifacts, homes, shops, markets, and items in the museum were stolen.” “Underground tombs were looted, and unregulated archaeological excavations were carried out. During its second occupation, ISIS blew up key landmarks of the city such as the Arch of Triumph, the Roman Theatre, and the temples of Bel and Baalshamin.” “Electricity, water, and sewage services are severely lacking. Out of 84 power transformers, only 4 are functional.” “A lack of medical equipment and shortage of doctors make it difficult to provide basic healthcare services.”PALMYRA, HOMS, SYRIA - APR. 8: Located in Syria's Homs province and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city of Palmyra bears deep wounds from war. Home to temples dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the ancient city was considered one of Syria’s most important tourist destinations before the civil war began in 2011. The Bashar al-Assad regime, in its attempt to regain control over Palmyra, pushed the cultural heritage site further to the brink of destruction through ground artillery and airstrikes. Following the fall of the regime and the establishment of a new government in Syria, local tourists are now visiting the heavily devastated Palmyra after 14 years, with a bittersweet sense of hope for its restoration to former glory. Former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova once stated that the destruction constituted a war crime and was a great loss for both the Syrian people and all of humanity. "Palmyra’s historical heritage suffered greatly during ISIS's nine-month occupation" Zahir Selim, a member of the Civil Committee of Palmyra and one of the local leaders in the city's reconstruction efforts, told Anadolu that residents were forced to flee due to ISIS oppression and attacks by the ousted regime. “Palmyra’s historical heritage suffered great damage during ISIS’s approximately nine-month occupation,” Selim said. “The subsequent assaults by regime and Russian forces further deepened the destruction. After ISIS withdrew, the ancient city was looted by regime forces.” “In addition to historical artifacts, homes, shops, markets, and items in the museum were stolen,” he added. “Underground tombs were looted, and unregulated archaeological excavations were carried out. During its second occupation, ISIS blew up key landmarks of the city such as the Arch of Triumph, the Roman Theatre, and the temples of Bel and Baalshamin.” Selim pointed out that major obstacles to residents returning include lack of infrastructure, widespread destruction, and military positions left behind by the regime. “Electricity, water, and sewage services are severely lacking. Out of 84 power transformers, only 4 are functional,” he stated. He also noted that although there has been some limited progress in education, health problems persist. “A lack of medical equipment and shortage of doctors make it difficult to provide basic healthcare services,” Selim said. The ruins of Palmyra, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1980, were severely damaged in 2015 by the terrorist organization ISIS. The group completely destroyed iconic structures such as the Temple of Bel, the Temple of Baalshamin, the Arch of Triumph, and several royal tombs. They also executed archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad.