WEEKLY REPORT 46
June 23, 2015
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Cheikhmous Ali, Tate Paulette, Kathryn Franklin, Allison Cuneo, LeeAnn Barnes Gordon, and Erin Van Gessel
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, reports emerged of ISIL militants allegedly planting explosive devices among the standing architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmyra. ISIL released photos showing the destruction of two Muslim religious sites. Between March 15, 2015 and May 22, 2015 ISIL deliberately destroyed the Shia Shrine of Sheikh Mohammad ibn ‘Ali, a descendant of a cousin of the Prophet Mohammad located atop a hill north of Tadmor, Syria. Between June 15, 2015 and June 26, 2015 ISIL deliberately destroyed the Tomb and shrine of Shagaf/Nizar Abu Behaeddine, a Sufi scholar and religious figure reportedly from Tadmor, Syria. The site is located south of modern Tadmor in the Efqa Oasis area. ISIL has also been engaged in the destruction of modern graves in the cemeteries of Tadmor.
Additional information has been provided documenting the damage to the Ma’arat al‐Numan Archaeological Museum in Syria caused by direct, intentional airborne attacks on the historic structure by SARG forces on June 15, 2015.
John Whittingdale, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, announced the UK will ratify the 1954 Hague Convention. The UK would also set up a cultural protection fund for Syria and Iraq and assist in training a corps of rescue archaeologists in Iraq.
In Iraq, on June 22, 2015 the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities published a press release stating that inspectors found that the Anbar Museum had been looted by ISIL militants. Special equipment and department vehicles were stolen from the museum. No artifacts were stolen as the collection had been transferred to Baghdad before the ISIL invasion.
Key points from this report:
- Reports emerged of ISIL militants allegedly planting explosive devices among the standing architecture of Palmyra.
- ISIL deliberately destroyed the Shia Shrine of Sheikh Mohammad ibn ‘Ali near Tadmor, Syria.
- ISIL deliberately destroyed the Tomb and shrine of Shagaf/Nizar Abu Behaeddine, located south of modern Tadmor.
- ISIL engaged in the destruction of modern graves in the cemeteries of Tadmor, Syria.
- Additional information documenting the damage to the Ma’arat al‐Numan Archaeological Museum in Syria caused by SARG forces.
- John Whittingdale, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, announced the UK will ratify the 1954 Hague Convention.