WEEKLY REPORT 45
June 16, 2015
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Cheikhmous Ali, Richard Zettler, Tate Paulette, Kathryn Franklin, Allison Cuneo, Susan Penacho, LeeAnn Barnes Gordon, and David Elitzer
DOWNLOAD: REPORT
* This report is based on research conducted by the “Safeguarding the Heritage of the Near East Initiative,” funded by the US Department of State. Monthly reports reflect reporting from a variety of sources and may contain unverified material. As such, they should be treated as preliminary and subject to change.
Executive Summary
During the reporting period, new details emerged of the ISIL deliberate destruction of the Ottoman‐era palace/barracks at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Assur in northern Iraq (see ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 15‐0082 UPDATE). Extensive damage to the structure, which overlies the ancient Temple of Assur, was confirmed through the analysis of DigitalGlobe high‐resolution satellite imagery, but other reported damage (corroborated by in‐country sources) was not discernable in this recent imagery. ASOR CHI continues to gather new reports of deliberate heritage damage and the reuse of religious structures for military/administrative purposes in the key conflict zones of Iraq — see ASOR CHI Incident Reports herein (IHI 15‐0084 and 0085) — for new information on the alleged destruction of mosques in the Baiji area and the verified ISIL occupation and vandalism of the Church of St. Ephraim in Mosul.
A key development in Syria, YPG forces surrounded the strategic border town of Tell Abyad in northern Syria. They occupy portions of the settlement and seem poised to capture this region. As previously reported by ASOR CHI, Tell Abyad (var. Tell Abiad) and the adjacent Turkish town of Akçakale serve as a key (and well documented) border crossing for ISIL fighters and contraband, including illicit cultural property. The YPG seizure of this region has resulted in a refugee crisis as Arab populations and other groups flee before the approaching Kurdish forces. It is hoped that YPG control will result in a cease in atrocities in this region and a decrease in cross‐border trafficking, although ASOR studies strongly suggest Kurdish paramilitary forces have been previously involved and/or complicit in antiquities looting, trafficking, and sales in northeastern and northwestern Syria. Increased YPG control of the Syria‐Turkey border will place increasing financial and logistical pressure on ISIL in the Raqqa operational theater. Should the YPG expand and consolidate its gains, ISIL will be dependent on Djerablus for connection with Turkey.
The number of incidents of combat damage to heritage rose during the reporting period, as SARG launched airstrikes against ISIL in Tadmor, allegedly, according to Tadmor sources, resulting in damage to ancient standing architecture at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmyra (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15‐0096 UPDATE). ASOR CHI identified no new damage in the most recent DigitalGlobe satellite image of Palmyra dated June 15, 2015. SARG helicopters dropped between one and two barrel bombs on the Ma’arat al‐Nu’man Archaeological Museum (the Khan Murad Pasha) resulting in the near total destruction of a tekkiye and mosque at the center of the khan’s central courtyard as well as currently undetermined damage to the museum’s world‐renowned collection of mosaics and other archaeological artifacts (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15‐0098). Reported combat damage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ancient City of Aleppo continues to emerge (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15‐0097). Sources also reported the ISIL destruction of modern graves in the city of Tadmor.
Key points from this report:
- SARG direct and intentional attacks on heritage places in Syria using airstrikes and artillery continued with the targeting of a museum (Ma’arat al‐Nu’man) and allegedly areas within Palmyra and Aleppo.
- ISIL deliberate destruction at Assur was confirmed using high‐resolution satellite imagery.
- YPG advances on Tell Abyad in northern Syria could result in the severing of important ISIL overland routes to Turkey in the Raqqa strategic theater with broad implications for ISIL logistics, command, and criminal revenue streams.