The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have issued an unusual order for the immediate evacuation of the city of Baalbek, located in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, warning residents that they will “soon take strong action against Hezbollah’s infrastructure” in the area.
The ancient city’s residents, who number around 214,600 according to the latest 2018-2019 census, face a serious threat to their homes and their priceless cultural and historical heritage.
Baalbek, with a rich history spanning 3,000 years, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as “the most magnificent city of temples in the world.” Located in the Bekaa Valley, the city represents a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures and bears the traces of many civilizations – from the Phoenicians and Romans to the Byzantines, Ayyubids and Ottomans.
Baalbek has been an important trading crossroads between the East and the West for centuries and is considered one of the most important religious centers of the ancient world.
Since the start of the intensive attacks on Lebanon, which began on September 23, Baalbek has been the target of several Israeli airstrikes.
The main road connecting Zahle and Baalbek and numerous buildings around the ancient city have suffered significant damage from the bombings, further threatening the preservation of this ancient archaeological site.
The explosions that accompanied these attacks caused serious damage to numerous historical buildings, including the Duris Dome, which was used by the Turkmen in the nearby village of Duris.
The Ayyubid-era structure, which was partly built using Roman materials, suffered significant damage: columns were toppled and stones on the dome began to fall off.
Lebanese authorities have expressed deep concern about the damage to historical sites in these attacks. Lebanese Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada said: “We have not sought any assurances from Israel that they will refrain from bombing the Baalbek fortress and other archaeological sites, because we do not believe in any of their promises.”
Mortada stressed that the attacks could cause serious damage to archaeological sites and called on UNESCO to act urgently to protect these irreplaceable cultural assets.
In addition to Baalbek, the ancient city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, also under UNESCO protection, is under threat from Israeli military operations. Lebanon has already appealed to UNESCO Ambassador Mustafa Adib, requesting urgent measures to preserve these sites, which are of exceptional importance for the cultural heritage of humanity.
Will the historical heritage survive the conflict?
Baalbek is a unique site that bears witness to the synthesis of Mediterranean Phoenician culture and Roman religious beliefs, with a name derived from “Baal,” a powerful deity in Phoenician mythology. Under the protection of UNESCO since 1984, the city is considered the “largest,” “oldest,” and “most mysterious” temple city in the world.
With the increasing escalation of attacks, the question remains: will Baalbek, the Lebanese Rome, survive another period of conflict? International organizations, including UNESCO, are faced with the challenge of protecting not only cultural heritage, but also the lives of civilians currently in the conflict zone.
The destruction of Baalbek would represent an irreparable loss to world culture, as well as a tragic outcome for the inhabitants who live in the shadow of this ancient heritage, Klix.ba writes.
