BEIRUT — An American heritage organization says the Russian military is constructing a new army base in the central Syrian town of Palmyra, within the protected zone that holds the archaeological area listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
The American School of Oriental Research’s Cultural Heritage Initiative posted DigitalGlobe satellite imagery that shows the construction on the northern edge of the ancient site that was damaged by the Islamic State group, which held Palmyra for 10 months.
Syrian troops backed by Russian airstrikes captured Palmyra in March and fighting continues miles away.
Maamoun Abdulkarim, who heads the department of Damascus antiquities and museums, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the Russians are building small barracks that include offices and clinics.
Abdulkarim says his organization was not asked for permission.
