WEEKLY REPORT 67-68
November 11-24, 2015
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Allison Cuneo, Marina Gabriel, Susan Penacho, Kyra Kaercher, Marshall Schurtz, 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, various sources alleged that increased airstrikes targeting ISIL had damaged heritage places in Syria, including cultural assets in the cities of Maraat al-Numan, Raqqa, and possibly Tadmor/Palmyra. Additional information is required to verify these claims for Raqqa and Tadmor/Palmyra. New information was obtained that verified the detonation of a tunnel bomb near the entrance of the Aleppo Citadel, which allegedly caused damage to the Citadel’s monumental entrance and the immediately adjacent Khan al-Shouna. Both structures had previously been damaged through combat and earlier tunnel bombs. More analysis is required to determine the full extent of the damage: recently released ground-level photos of the bombsite should provide additional information.
Recently released DigitalGlobe satellite imagery and reports from in-country sources indicate ISIL- linked construction activity at the site of Nineveh in Mosul is potentially causing disturbance to archaeological deposits. Elsewhere in Iraq (Baghdad, Muqdadiyah), there was an escalation in attacks directed at civilian populations and worshippers/houses of worship linked to ISIL or anonymous “gunmen.” These attacks follow on the heels of ISIL setbacks in various military theaters and accord with the attested pattern of ISIL conducting revenge attacks following major tactical and strategic setbacks that are ultimately aimed at demoralizing their opponents, escalating sectarian tensions, and diverting attention from ISIL failures and signs of weakness.
Key points from this report:
- ASOR CHI in-country sources report that the Great Mosque of Maraat Al-Numan was damaged by airstrikes.
- A tunnel bomb damaged the main entrance to the Aleppo Citadel and the immediately adjacent Khan al-Shouna (var. Shouneh, Shoune).
- The Raqqa Museum was reportedly struck by Russian airstrikes.
- ASOR CHI in-country sources report new roads are being constructed within the walls of ancient Nineveh.
- A suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque in Sadr City outside Baghdad.
- Gunmen blew up the Abu Hanifa Mosque in Muqdadiyah.
- Syrian military forces, with the assistance of Russian airstrikes and pro-government forces, advance towards Palmyra.
- Russian airstrikes continue as French forces begin intensive bombing campaigns in the wake of a terrorist attack in Paris, which also resulted in an expansion of US targets to include oil fields and tanker truck convoys.