Ancient monastery site 'destroyed by so-called Islamic State' included Catholic church
The so-called 'Islamic State' group has demolished an ancient monastery in central Syria, according to a priest and activists.
The extremist group posted photos on social media showing bulldozers destroying the Saint Eliane Monastery on Friday near the town of Qaryatain, which IS captured in early August.
A Christian clergyman in Damascus said that 'IS' militants also wrecked a church inside the monastery that dates back to the first Christian centuries.
The priest said the monastery included an Assyrian Catholic church.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks Syria’s conflict, also reported the destruction of the monastery.
[comment] [/comment]
Since capturing parts of Syria and Iraq, 'IS' fighters have destroyed mosques, churches and archaeological sites.
