Government troops in Syria have recaptured the historic Crusader Castle, Crac des Chevaliers – the Al Hosn Citadel – from rebels

Two days ago government troops recaptured the historical castle of Crac de Chevaliers, which has in rebel hands for more than two years.  Afterwards the Syrian government invited journalists to inspect the castle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and which was once believed to be one of the most beautiful medieval castles preserved.

According to press reports an officer said the army had killed 93 rebels in fierce fighting in the area on Thursday, while there appeared to be heavy damage to a nearby village. One of the killed rebels was the Jihadist, known by his nom de guerre, Abu Suleiman al-Muhajer.

Journalists were afterwards allowed to visit the Unesco World Heritage site, where walls of the hilltop castle showed signs of damage from bombardment. More devastating was, however, the ruinous inside of the castle filled with rubble.

It is unclear how much of this was caused by the government operation to capture the fort this week, as part of an advance in the Homs region or the long sojourn of the rebel-forces in the castle.

The castle is just one of many historic sites in Syria threatened by the three-year civil war.

The damage to the castle is documented by a series of photos presented by BBC

SOURCE

Syrian army reclaims legendary Crusader castle from rebels

Syrian Forces Reclaim Historic Crusader Castle From Rebels 

READ MORE:

Damage to the Soul: Syria’s Cultural Heritage in Conflict
By Emma Cunliffe
Durham University and Global Heritage Fund 2012

Der Crac des Chevaliers: Die Baugeschichte einer Ordensburg der Kreuzfahrerzeit
By Thomas Biller et al. (Editor)
Schnell und Steiner 2006
ISBN-10: 3795418100
ISBN-13: 978-3795418106

Crac de Chevalier – presentation by UNESCO