DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) – The Islamic State group demolished an ancient monastery founded more than 1,500 years in central Syria Friday near a town where the extremists abducted dozens of Christians earlier this month, activists and a Christian priest said.
The extremist group posted photos on social media Friday showing bulldozers destroying the Saint Elian Monastery near the town of Qaryatain, which IS captured in early August.
A Christian clergyman told The Associated Press in Damascus that IS militants also wrecked a church inside the monastery that dates back to 5th century. The priest, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, 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.
Since capturing parts of Syria and Iraq, IS fighters have destroyed mosques, churches and archaeological sites. Earlier this week, fighters in the IS-held town of Palmyra publicly beheaded an 81-year-old antiquities scholar who had dedicated his life to studying and overseeing the Palmyra’s iconic ancient ruins.