WEEKLY REPORT 50
July 21, 2015
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Cheikhmous Ali, Allison Cuneo, Kyra Kaercher, Katherine Burge, 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, in Syria new details surfaced on the current condition of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmyra, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (specifically the St. Simeon Monastery), and the Old Town of Marbaa in Daraa Governorate near Bosra. New details emerged on deliberate heritage destructions by ISIL in the area of Al-Mayadin in Deir ez-Zor Governorate. In Iraq, social media reports and other sources revealed details of ISIL deliberate destructions of a Yezidi shrine in the Gabara/Sinjar area as well as the destruction of the Olympic Stadium in Ramadi. Overall, relative to the high rates of heritage damage documented in previous months, heritage damage may be decreasing somewhat during the summer.
Key points from this report:
- The Association for the Protection of Syrian Archaeology posted new photos showing the current condition of the “Citadel” (the Fakhr al‐Din al‐Maani Castle) at Palmyra.
- ISIL militants allegedly forced prisoners to destroy tombstones in the town of al‐ Mayadin, Deir ez‐Zor Governorate, Syria and ISIL is allegedly looting the nearby archaeological site of Rahba Citadel.
- The Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums posted information on damage to heritage places in the area of the Old Town of Marbaa in Daraa Governorate near Bosra.
- ISIL militants allegedly destroyed a Yezidi shrine in the town of Gabara near Sinjar, Ninawa Governorate, Iraq.
- ISIL allegedly demolished the Olympic Stadium in Ramadi, Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq.