WEEKLY REPORT 51-52
August 4, 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, cultural heritage incidents in Syria and Iraq remained at lower levels relative to previous months. The Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums reported damage occurring on July 26 to the German Expedition Headquarters at the site of Tell Chuera in Raqqa Province. According to a later edited version of the web post, damage was allegedly caused by a coalition airstrike against ISIL militants. Independent sources and additional data are required to corroborate this claim. On July 28, Syrian rebels allegedly detonated tunnel bombs near the Old City of Aleppo. Additional details are needed to assess the damage and pinpoint the locations of the latest incidents, the most recent in a long sequence of highly destructive tunnel bombings in the area.
Key points from this report:
- An alleged airstrike damaged the German Expedition headquarters at Tell Chuera
- Syrian rebels detonated tunnel bombs near the Old City of Aleppo