Syrian UNESCO World Heritage sites added to Endangered List

UNESCO, in its annual meeting at Phnom Penh (Cambodia), has added 6 ancient World Heritage Sites of Syria to ENDANGERED World Heritage list.

• The move was necessitated because of ongoing Syrian Civil War that has caused considerable damage to these websites including city of Aleppo. Fighting between Rebels and also the Syrian government have damaged a number of these sites-- In April, the minaret of Aleppo's ancient Umayyad mosque ( bulit in 8th century) was destroyed. Add illegal excavations, looting of ancient tombs and grave sites that are further threatening their existence.
• a minimum of 18 ancient mosaics depicting scenes from Homer’s The Odyssey were stolen during illegal excavations on archaeological sites from the northeast Syria
• The decision is meant to highlight the issue and garner support for that safeguarding of the sites
• The Six UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Syria- 1) Ancient cities of Damascus 2) Bosra 3) and Aleppo, 4)the oasis of Palmyra,5) the castles of Crac des Chevaliers and Qal'at Salah El-Din (also referred to as the Fortress of Saladin) and also the 6) ancient villages of northern Syria.
• Syrian Civil War started in March 2011
• With this particular : There are 44 Properties now under Listing of World Heritage in danger according to Article 11 (4) around the globe Heritage Convention.

Apart from Syria's six sites Solomon Islands's East Rennell seemed to be included in 2013