5 historical monuments destroyed in Syria

As Syria's tragic war continues without a resolution in sight, the conflict's death toll continues to soar. But this isn't the only disastrous consequence of the conflict — Syria's breathtaking historical and architectural heritage is being blasted to pieces by the ongoing civil war, too. Here are five of the most significant sites and buildings that have been damaged or destroyed in Syria's war by militants: 1. The Umayyad Mosque (this is the small Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo, not the big one in Damascus), Located in the old city of Aleppo, the Umayyad Mosque is another one of Syria’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites; it is also one of the oldest and most important mosques in the world. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Helga Seeden, professor of archaeology at the American University of Beirut, put this loss into context: "This is like blowing up the Taj Mahal or destroying the Acropolis in Athens. This mosque is a living sanctuary... This is a disaster. In terms of heritage, this is the worst I've seen in Syria. I'm horrified." 2. Aleppo's Souk Al-Madina This medieval souk, the largest covered historic market in the world, was badly burned and partially destroyed during fighting that began in September of 2012. 3. Al-Omari Mosque This mosque, founded in the early eighth century by the second caliph of Islam, Omar, is one of the oldest mosques in the world. 4. Crac des Chevaliers One of Syria’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Crac des Chevaliers is one of the world’s most important medieval castles still in existence. 5. Palmyra As the fighting between the terrorists and the Syrian Army in and around this ancient desert oasis, the breathtaking ruins have been rocked by shells, mortar bombs, and rockets. Thus for those who still calling it a civil war, please STOP!! Enough; Syrians have lost their country, they have lost their dignity... It's a huge vandalism program systemized to wipe both Syria's history & future forever, a clear plot to destroy this beautiful country.