No: 237, 24 August 2015

Turkey considers the blowing-up of the Baalshamin Temple in the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the destruction of Mar Elian Monastery, one of the historical places of worship in the region as atrocities perpetrated by DEASH against humanity and condemns the villains who carried out this savagery. These aggressions which we cannot see as differently from the annihilation of persons, societies, religions and beliefs; have displayed once again the enmity of DEASH toward humanity and universal civilisation.

Moreover, we also vehemently condemn the barbarous killing of Khaled Assad in recent days by DEASH, a 82 years old Syrian archaeologist who had devoted fifty years of his life to Palmyra.

Turkey, which has taken over the Chairmanship of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on 8 July 2015, feels a deep sorrow over the destruction of cultural properties constituting the common heritage of all humanity; believes, however, that DEASH and its attempts to spread a culture of terror and violence based on hatred will be defeated by the international endeavours to which Turkey actively contributes.