BEIRUT: Nearly 300 sites of incalculable value for Syria and human history have been destroyed, damaged or looted in almost four years of war, the UN said on Tuesday, citing “alarming” satellite evidence.

From prehistoric settlements and ancient markets to world-famous mosques and Crusader castles, Syria is home to countless treasures.

But since the country’s brutal war erupted in 2011, heritage sites have been plundered by all sides — regime loyalists, anti-government rebels, jihadist fighters and even desperate residents.

After a major survey, the United Nations said that detailed analysis of satellite images from several hundred sites had unearthed the full scale of the damage.

Of the 290 sites, 24 had been destroyed, 104 severely damaged, 85 moderately damaged and 77 possibly damaged.

The UN said the report was “alarming testimony of the ongoing damage that is happening to Syria’s vast cultural heritage”, and called for efforts to scale up their protection.