Private, Al-Suwayda, Baladi News
The Syrian Ministry of Tourism announced on its official website its willingness to conduct studies and researches in Tulul al-Safa archaeological area in order to be listed on the world heritage site as a historical and natural site, although the area is controlled by ISIS.
"Al-Assad dynasty", whether the father (Hafez) or the son (Bashar), has been stealing Al-Suwayda ruins through several excavations with the help of the security branches' officers in the city”, according to some field activists. They have always kept a firm hand on many archaeological sites and have stolen thousands of golden coins that date back to different eras.
An unidentified source said in an interview with Baladi news that: “Al-Assad officers had emptied the national museum of Al-Suwayda last year under the pretext of protecting its belongings from stealing. All the holdings had been moved to the Syrian coast in batches. This was not the first incident in the province, but it was one among series of thefts since the ruling of Hafiz al-Assad. One of the most famous incidents was when the mayor of the province stole an ancient pillar from Qanawat city to decorate the entrance of his palace in the Syrian coast”.
Strangely enough, the Syrian regime is preparing for a study mission in an ISIS-held area deep in the desert through which it proves again its strong ties with ISIS, considering the activity of its militias in digging for gold and ruins then trading them with ISIS members in the province.
It's worth mentioning that Tulul al-Safa area is one of the most important historical sites. "It was inhabited by al-Lakhmies tribe during the sixth century B.C. The site is also known for its Safae’e language inscriptions” according to an archaeologist.
Tulul al-Safa is located southeast of Syria, to the east of Shahba’a city in the countryside of Al-Suwayda which dates back to the fourth century B.C. The city is also surrounded by many archaeological sites such as: Kherbet al-Ambashy, al-Habbarieh and the ancient mountain "Ses". However, with the advent of ISIS to the desert in the countryside of Al-Suwayda, all these sites have become under its control.