According to a statement by the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums under the Syrian Arab Republic’s Ministry of Culture, in a new barbaric targeting of Syrian archaeological and religious sites, the Turkish regime planes bombed the archaeological site of Brad, 15 km south of Afrin city, which has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2011. The bombing destroyed many important archaeological buildings, The tomb of St. Maron, the patron saint of the Maronite sect, and the Julianus Church, which includes the mausoleum and is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world (built at the end of the fourth century). The sites also include many Byzantine churches and monasteries, as well as a temple, a bath, a house, a contemporary, and tombs dating back to the Roman period (2nd-3rd centuries CE).

This aggression came after the destroying of several archaeological sites in the area of Afrin, including the Temple of Ain Dara and the location of the Prophet Hori (Qurosh), and Tal Jendyres , which indicates the existence of a systematic plan to eliminate the Syrian heritage and all elements of Syrian civilization.

Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums once again appealed to the relevant international organizations, which have registered these sites on their lists, to carry out their moral and humanitarian duty to condemn the continuing Turkish aggression on the sites of the Syrian archaeological heritage and expose it to the world.

It is noteworthy that a French archaeological mission had discovered the tomb of St. Maron in the village of Brad in 2002 and from that time became a site for the tourists from all over the world, especially from the Maronite community, who have established a number of activities and rituals of cultural and religious site.

The Turkish army repeatedly targets the cultural treasures of the region. The approximately 3,000-year-old Ishtar temple in Ayn-Dara was also virtually destroyed by Turkish bombs.

Former Director General of Antiquities and Museums, Maamun Abdulkerim, told AFP that this place represents one of the most beautiful aspects of Christian history. He said about the attacks, "Not even the Mongols did that."