The ancient city of Palmyra has stood here in the deserts of central Syria for thousands of years.
古城帕尔米拉在叙利亚中部的沙漠中 历经千年
Lying on the ancient silcrete, it evolve(d) from a trading town into a prosperous Roman city.
置身古老的砾岩之上 帕尔米拉由一个商贸小镇发展成一座罗马帝国的繁荣都市
But now this archaeological treasure is under threat.
然而 这处珍贵的历史遗迹现已告急
Militants from the group calling itself Islamic State launched an offensive in the area this week.
自称"伊斯兰国"的极端武装分子 本周对该地区发起进攻
And now reported to be within a few miles of the ancient city.
报道称 他们目前距离该古城仅数英里
Their initial target thought to be important Syrian military bases nearby.
起初 人们认为他们的目标是附近的几处叙利亚军事要地
A top United Nation's cultural offical, currently visiting the Middle East, has expressed her alarm.
一位近日访问了中东地区的联合国文化高级官员 表达了对该事件的担忧
Over the past year, the Islamic State militants have systematically looted ,
在过去一年里 "伊斯兰国"武装分子已对其所控制的
and destroyed important archaeological sites in areas where they've seized control, in both Syria and Iraq.
叙利亚和伊拉克两地的文化遗址 进行了掠夺和破坏
Proudly filming the destruction for its propaganda value,
他们企图毁灭占领地的一切前伊斯兰教历史遗址
they try to eliminate all traces of the regions pre-Islamic history.
并对他们的破坏行动进行摄像用以宣传
And now Palmyra could be next.
而今 帕尔米拉或许将成为下一个目标
So far the Islamic State militants have not managed to reach Palmyra.
迄今为止 IS武装分子尚未能够攻到帕尔米拉
Syrian troops, at least for now,(are) keeping them away from this one of the world's most important historical sites.
至少现在 叙利亚军队还能将武装分子挡在这处世界上最重要的历史遗迹的门外