Ancient market largely destroyed by fire as Aleppo clashes hit world heritage site - Polidicks

[t]http://puu.sh/1a0Jm[/t] [t]http://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/images/2012/9/29//201292914486506734_20.jpg[/t] [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19775530[/url] [quote=BBC News][B]A blaze has swept though ancient markets in Aleppo, activists say, as rebels and government forces seek to gain control of Syria's largest city.[/B] Reports say hundreds of shops in the souk, one of the best preserved in the Middle East, have been destroyed. Unesco, which recognises Aleppo's Old City as a world heritage site, described the damage as a tragedy. On the third day of a rebel offensive, battles broke out in the Old City and the Arkub district, reports said. The fire, believed to have been triggered by shelling and gunfire, began on Friday but was still burning on Saturday, reports said. "It's a big loss and a tragedy that the old city has now been affected," Kishore Rao, director of Unesco's World Heritage Centre, told the Associated Press. [B]'Disaster'[/B] The market stalls lie beneath the city's towering 13th Century citadel, where activists say regime troops and snipers have taken up positions. Activists quoted by Reuters news agency said that the presence of snipers was making it difficult to approach the Souk al-Madina, once a major tourist attraction. Reports estimate that between 700 and 1,000 shops have been destroyed so far. "It's a disaster. The fire is threatening to spread to remaining shops," one activist, Ahmad al-Halabi, told AP. He said the Syrian authorities had cut off the water supply, making attempts to control the fire more difficult. Rebels and civilians were working together to limit the fire with a few fire extinguishers, he added. The fire took hold with speed, fuelled by the many shops' wooden doors and the clothes, fabrics and leather goods sold inside. Heavy clashes erupted at several military sites in the city on Saturday evening, Reuters reports. Fighting was reported at the Neirab military base as well as Bab Antakya, a stone gateway to the Old City. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, said the focal point for fighting was Salaheddin, a rebel stronghold on the south-west side of the city. State television reported attacks on what it called "terrorist centres" in 10 different locations on Saturday, saying heavy losses had been inflicted. The BBC's Jim Muir, in Beirut, says that though both sides have reported clashes in different parts of the city, the signs are that the rebels simply lack the firepower and the manpower to score a significant breakthrough. "No-one is actually making gains here, it is just fighting and more fighting, and terrified people are fleeing," one activist told Reuters. Activists estimate more than 27,000 people have died in the violence since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began last year.[/quote]

Goddamnit.

While the loss of such a historic site is tragic, I think the tens of thousands of deaths are a little more important [editline]30th September 2012[/editline] I'd be quite happy to see one innocent life saved at the expense of these markets

Makes me wonder what would happen to Jerusalem's old city if another war broke out.

[QUOTE=Zambies!;37856593]Makes me wonder what would happen to Jerusalem's old city if another war broke out.[/QUOTE] Sadly, probably. Just another reason why war is bad.

[QUOTE=ksenior;37855987]While the loss of such a historic site is tragic,[B][U] I think the tens of thousands of deaths are a little more important[/U][/B] [/QUOTE] You're insane.

[QUOTE=Zambies!;37856593]Makes me wonder what would happen to Jerusalem's old city if another war broke out.[/QUOTE] It would simply rebuild itself for the umpteenth time. Jerusalem has been destroyed many times in the past. The same goes for this market. Aleppo is an extremely old city. You don't really have to worry too much about it being destroyed. It's seen worse.

[QUOTE=King Tiger;37856729]It would simply rebuild itself for the umpteenth time. Jerusalem has been destroyed many times in the past. The same goes for this market. Aleppo is an extremely old city. You don't really have to worry too much about it being destroyed. It's seen worse.[/QUOTE] Just because it was partially destroyed a while ago doesn't mean it's okay to partially destroy it today or tomorrow. Perfect and complete perpetual preservation is impossible but that doesn't mean we should cast aside anything of historical value, even that that has been destroyed. These buildings that are burned out should be preserved as best can even now. Just because they have had fires in them doesn't mean, "Well, hey let's go just tear it all down now it's no good".

Was this not expected? The rebels put a military base inside of it and then outrage as its set alight.

[QUOTE=King Tiger;37856729]It would simply rebuild itself for the umpteenth time. Jerusalem has been destroyed many times in the past. The same goes for this market. Aleppo is an extremely old city. You don't really have to worry too much about it being destroyed. It's seen worse.[/QUOTE] Let's apply this logic to World Trade centers and watch me get torn to pieces for it... Yeah, logic broken.

[QUOTE=Bomimo;37858186]Let's apply this logic to World Trade centers and watch me get torn to pieces for it... Yeah, logic broken.[/QUOTE] Just because we can rebuild doesn't mean we should destroy things like this, get your hard-on for America down for one thread.

[QUOTE=Bomimo;37858186]Let's apply this logic to World Trade centers and watch me get torn to pieces for it... Yeah, logic broken.[/QUOTE] You just proved my point. They're rebuilding the WTC as we speak.

[QUOTE=Bomimo;37856658]You're insane.[/QUOTE] Are you implying that some buildings are more important than a human life

[QUOTE=Bomimo;37858186]Let's apply this logic to World Trade centers and watch me get torn to pieces for it... Yeah, logic broken.[/QUOTE] what are you doing stop

[QUOTE=Bomimo;37858186]Let's apply this logic to World Trade centers and watch me get torn to pieces for it... Yeah, logic broken.[/QUOTE] I will tear you to pieces for it because you're wrong. WTC was tragic mostly because of the deaths. It would not be as tragic had nobody been killed.

[QUOTE=Milkdairy;37860882]I will tear you to pieces for it because you're wrong. WTC was tragic mostly because of the deaths. It would not be as tragic had nobody been killed.[/QUOTE] This is so retarded, it broke my spine. You for serious think Jerusalem was empty every time it was fucked to hell. [editline]30th September 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Zambies!;37858211]Just because we can rebuild doesn't mean we should destroy things like this, get your hard-on for America down for one thread.[/QUOTE] You just totally misunderstood the point i was making. Wasn't a bash on America. wow...

[QUOTE=Bomimo;37856658]You're insane.[/QUOTE] How the hell is that insane? Human lives are move valuable than any material goods [editline]1st October 2012[/editline] And you can't use 9/11 and a comparison. This saves lives, 9/11 took lives. You're a moron

[QUOTE=ksenior;37864313]How the hell is that insane? Human lives are move valuable than any material goods [editline]1st October 2012[/editline] And you can't use 9/11 and a comparison. This saves lives, 9/11 took lives. You're a moron[/QUOTE] Ok guys. I'm just going to throw all of you a [URL="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joke"]link[/URL], so you can all learn something today. However [URL="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bad%20joke"]This[/URL] might be more appropriate. Stop getting so worked up, holy hell. I'm sorry you get yourselves unintentionally self-trolled.

I hate seeing all these beautiful old sites get destroyed. I also hate that the Middle East is so constantly filled with war. These dang people need to stop hating and killing each other.

[QUOTE=Bomimo;37867333]Ok guys. I'm just going to throw all of you a [URL="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joke"]link[/URL], so you can all learn something today. However [URL="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bad%20joke"]This[/URL] might be more appropriate. Stop getting so worked up, holy hell. I'm sorry you get yourselves unintentionally self-trolled.[/QUOTE] A joke would have been funny

[QUOTE=Bomimo;37867333]Ok guys. I'm just going to throw all of you a [URL="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joke"]link[/URL], so you can all learn something today. However [URL="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bad%20joke"]This[/URL] might be more appropriate. Stop getting so worked up, holy hell. I'm sorry you get yourselves unintentionally self-trolled.[/QUOTE] so you were just PRETENDING to be retarded then, well that clears that up

[QUOTE=download;37867599]A joke would have been funny[/QUOTE] Do you always only read half the posts before you reply?

[QUOTE=Bomimo;37869234]Do you always only read half the posts before you reply?[/QUOTE] I did, but it seems you needed to have that point reinforced a few times