Days following its publishing of images claimed to be from Tadmur Prison, ISIS published images today of its bombing of the same prison. The images showed armed men planting explosives in the prison, before bombing it. The bombing operation was recorded from a number of cameras surrounding the prison.
ISIS did not give any reason for bombing the prison. The organisation usually bombs religious or historical sites, claiming that they are against shariah law- according to their interpretation. However, this is the first time in which ISIS bomb a building which has no religious connection whatsoever.
Tadmur Prison is a symbol of the era of iron and fire in Syria, founded by the previous president Hafiz al-Asad. Over 20,000 Syrians were killed behind its walls.
Destroying Tadmur prison is an attack on the memories of Syrians relating to the violations which took place in the eighties and nineties of the previous century, and an obliteration of the physical evidence related to these violations.
The existence of the building is a right upon future generations so that they may know the truth and a right for the victims as a moral recognition of their sacrifice.
The attack implemented by ISIS on the Tadmur prison building- which the regime completely emptied before handing the city over to the organisation- provides an essential service for the war criminals responsible for the crimes which took place behind its walls.
