On Tuesday evening, ISIS executed the Syrian expert archaeologist Khalid al-As’ad executing him in a public square in the city of Palmyra (Tadmur) in rural Homs. His dead body was then displayed on a post in the square.
A sign which was attached to al-As’ad’s body said that he was killed because he represented Syria in “conferences by disbelievers” and that he was the director of Tadmur’s ancient idols. The sign also connected him to his brother, Brigadier Isa, head of the Palestine Branch, as well as the Brigadier Hussam in the Presidential Palace.
Al-As’ad was 81 years old at the time of his death. He is a father to six sons and five daughters. He studied History at the University of Damascus and then gained a Diploma in Education. He is also a member of the Eighth Regional Conference of the Baa’th Party.
Khalid al-As’ad served as Chairman of the Department of excavations at the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, then director of antiquities in Palmyra in the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums, and he was president or involved in the exploration and restoration operating Palmyra missions, and has a number of publications in the field of archeology