10 nations to protect sites from terrorism
Q. How many nations launched an anti terrorism forum to protect archaeological sites?- Published on 27 Apr 17a. 8
b. 9
c. 10
d. 11
ANSWER: 10
Ten nations from across the world came together on 24 April 2017 to form a group with the aim of protecting ancient heritage from extremism like that of the Islamic State, which led to the destruction of Syria’s ancient city, Palmyra.
The forum was launched in Athens, the capital city of Greece, by ministers and ambassadors from all the ten nations.
The list includes India, Greece, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Bolivia, Peru, Italy, China and Mexico, all of which are home to some of the world’s greatest archaeological sites.
The group would mainly run joint projects to promote dialogue and culture in the face of fanaticism and terrorism.
The project will be headed by the Greek government along with China.
Extremists from the Islamic State groups gained control over the ancient heritage monumental ruins of Palmyra in May 2015.
The occupation of the city was followed by destruction of many of its monuments.
Though Syrian and Russian forces reclaimed the city from the extremist group in March 2016, they lost it again in December 2016
Other UNESCO recognised sites that suffered destruction at the hands of terrorists include Bamiyan in Afghanistan where the Taliban blew up the Buddha statues and the ancient city of Timbuktu in Mali where extremists destroyed mausoleums and shrines.
The 10-nation group is due to meet again in 2018 in Bolivia.
