On Thursday morning, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has struck again; however, this time, it was not any-kind of aggression towards an opposing force – instead, the terrorist group chose to destroy more of Syria’s historical culture and archeological sites.

The terrorist group destroyed the 1,600 year old monastery and tomb of the famous Syrian religious figure, Saint Elyan, inside the ancient Assyrian city of Al-Qurayteen in Homs’ eastern countryside.

A number of bulldozers were pictured by the terrorist group destroying the St. Elyan Monastery’s historical walls, along with the collection of Christian exhibits that added to the beautification of this religious site dedicated to the famous Syrian doctor that converted to Christianity in the 5th Century A.D.

In early August of 2015, ISIS captured the ancient city of Al-Qurayteen from the civilian-led “National Defense Forces” (NDF) after a series of intense firefights that led to the eventual withdrawal of the latter’s fighters from this area.

Upon seizing Al-Qurayteen, the terrorist group rounded up the remaining civilians living inside the ancient city; this prompted the ISIS militants to single-out specific individuals in order for them to take these residents captive.

The terrorist group kidnapped 230 people from the city of Al-Qurayteen in early August – their whereabouts and health are unknown, despite numerous attempts by human rights organizations to negotiate their release from ISIS’ captivity.