شهيد التراث العربي السوري: خالد الأسعد:

شهيد التراث العربي السوري: خالد الأسعد

Dear Archaeologists and Friends,

Our deepest condolences go to the family and friends of the martyred Syrian archaeologist, Khalid Muhammad al-Asa'ad, who paid with his life yesterday because of his stand against the so-called "Islamic State" and its plans to destroy Palmyra. He was beheaded yesterday and his body was hanged from a traffic-light post in the city ( I refrain from showing the published photographs).  Khalid, born in 1934, became the Head of Palmyra Antiquities back in 1963 and became the undisputed authority on the history and archaeology of Palmyra, published numerous papers, and was well known by his friends for his professionalism and integrity.

His tragic loss in this horrific manner should be a great inspiration to all of us to stand united against this awful enemy of cultural heritage.

Ihsan Fethi