NATO raps Russia over Syrian airstrikes as IS destroys more of Palmyra

Syria’s antiquities chief fears the ancient city of Palmyra “will be totally gone in three to four months”. Maamoun Abdulkarim’s warning came as Islamic State militants destroyed the nearly 2,000-year-old Arch of Triumph in Palmyra, according to activists. It follows the destruction of a number of other temples and statues at the Roman-era UNESCO world heritage site, carried out since IS captured it in May. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said militants blew up the arch but left the colonnades in place.

It is now wanton destruction… their acts of vengeance are no longer ideologically driven because they are now blowing up buildings with no religious meaning.

Antiquities director Maamoun Abdulkarim

Meanwhile, NATO has called on Russia to stop its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians - and should focus its efforts on fighting Islamic State. The military organisation has also told Moscow to “cease and desist” carrying out what it called violations of Turkish-NATO airspace which it said was “irresponsible” and dangerous. It comes after Turkey accused a Russian warplane of flying into its airspace on Saturday, prompting Ankara to scramble two F-16 fighter jets to intercept it. The incursion drew a public rebuke from Turkey as well as Britain’s ambassador Richard Moore, who described Russia’s move as “reckless and worrying”.

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