An ancient souq in the Syrian city of Aleppo was partially destroyed on Sept. 29, making this medieval marketplace the latest cultural casualty in the 19-month conflict between Syrian government forces and rebels. According to UNESCO, five of Syria's six world heritage sites have been damaged by the fighting -- including the Crac des Chevaliers, an ancient Crusader castle on the outskirts of Homs, and the old city of Damascus. In March, Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova called for both sides to preserve Syria's historical sites. "I wish to express my grave concern about possible damage to precious sites and to call upon all those involved in the conflict to ensure the protection of the outstanding cultural legacy that Syria hosts on its soil," said Bokova in a press release. Sadly, that hasn't happened. From crumbling fortresses to bombed-out mosques, here is a look at Syria's disappearing cultural heritage. In this photo, Syrians inspect damage in Aleppo's old city after Syrian regime forces shelled the area on Sept. 30.
