WEEKLY REPORT 61-62
September 30 – October 13, 2015
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Allison Cuneo, Marina Gabriel, Susan Penacho, Kyra Kaercher, LeeAnn Barnes Gordon, Emily Ham, and John O’Neill
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, reported cultural heritage incidents remained elevated due to the release of new data on archaeological looting from in-country sources as well as the release of new satellite imagery. Russian airstrikes on militarized archaeological sites held by Syrian Opposition and Islamist extremist groups have markedly elevated the risk of combat damage over a wide area of northern and western Syria.
The Jihadi-Salafi extremist group Daesh (ISIS, ISIL, IS) continued its campaign of performative deliberate destructions in Syria at the site of Palmyra, where the Arch of Triumph was destroyed with explosives, and in Iraq where Daesh deliberately destroyed/demolished the Abdullah ibn Mubarak Mosque and Shrine in Hit.
Key points from this report:
- Satellite imagery shows ongoing looting at the site of Tell Bezzam near Hama, Syria.
- The DGAM reports ongoing looting in the Dier ez-Zor region of Syria.
- Russian airstrikes allegedly struck multiple sites in the Dead Cities region. The Day After Heritage Protection Initiative has produced a brief, illustrated report of the damage to the site of Shinshara in Syria.
- ISIL advances into rebel held areas of Syria in the wake of the Russian air campaign in support of SARG forces.
- ISIL intentionally destroys the Arch of Triumph in Palmyra, Syria.
- ISIL supporters demolish the Abdullah ibn Mubarak Shrine and Mosque in Hit, Iraq.