WEEKLY & MONTHLY REPORTS
Initiated in 2014, ASOR’s Cultural Heritage Initiatives (ASOR CHI) is an international collaboration of scholars and institutions who work under the auspices of ASOR. Through two cooperative agreements with the U.S. Department of State and with the generous support of non-federal organizations and donors (especially the Getty Conservation Institute, The Whiting Foundation, and the Kaplan Fund), ASOR CHI undertakes projects to document, protect, and preserve the cultural heritage of war-torn Syria, northern Iraq, and Libya. Hundreds of significant heritage sites have been damaged since fighting began in 2011. Although the destruction of cultural property represents only part of the humanitarian crisis, these harmful actions threaten our common world heritage and cultural diversity. We have an ethical obligation to respond, and our project is part of an international effort to work with Syrians, Iraqis, and Libyans (and other peoples) to protect their heritage and cultural identity.
May 2018 Monthly Report
• Alleged Turkish army or Turkish-backed FSA fighters destroyed the grave of the Kurdish writer Nuri Dersimi and damaged Henan Mosque in Mesh’ale, Aleppo Governorate. ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 18-0116
• Reported SARG forces recaptured the Jerusalem Mosque from opposition forces in Yarmouk neighborhood, Damascus, Damascus Governorate. ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 18-0104
• Satellite imagery revealed ongoing illegal excavations at Apamea, in Qalaat al-Mudiq, Hama Governorate. ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 18-0100
• Video footage shows graffiti at the Roman Theater in Palmyra, Homs Governorate. ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 18-0117
• Satellite imagery and photographs show new damage to Tell Danit in Idlib Governorate. ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 18-0102
• Satellite imagery revealed damage to Ibrahim Khalil Mosque in Hajar al-Aswad, Rif Dimashq Governorate. ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 18-0112
• An unnamed group rebuilt the al-Juwayjati Mosque in Mosul, Ninawa Governorate. ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 18-0011
• Satellite imagery reveals damage to Sabha Castle in Sabha, Fezzan. ASOR CHI Incident Report LHI 18-0021