WEEKLY REPORT 69-70
November 25 – December 8, 2015
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Allison Cuneo, Amr al-Azm, 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, various sources provided information documenting a relatively high number of heritage incidents in Syria. Within this dataset, SARG airstrikes represented the predominant destructive force with reported incidents in Aleppo, Kafr Hamra, Jisr al-Shoughour, Maraat al-Numan, Hama, Tadmor, and Al-Latamneh. The M5 Highway corridor and Tadmor continued to be the main foci for such attacks. Russian airstrikes also reportedly caused heritage damage within these operational theaters. Overall, reported heritage damage during the reporting period continued the recent trend (since May 2015) characterized by a relatively high incidence of combat damage to mosques and surrounding areas inflicted primarily by SARG airstrikes and barrel bombings.
ISIL released a video showing the execution of prisoners by child soldiers in Qalaat al-Rahbeh, a famous castle, in Deir ez-Zor Governorate. This continues the organization’s practice of publicizing executions and occasionally using heritage sites for such atrocities to promote the ISIL ideological brand.
Key points from this report:
- A report by The Day After Heritage Protection Initiative details to Ebla in Syria (ASOR CHI Incidient Report SHI 15-0150 and Appended TDA Report).
- In-country sources in Syria report on the condition of Tell al-Atarib in Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-0151) and the Tomb of Omar Bin Abdul Aziz in Hama Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-0152).
- ISIL releases video of executions at Qaalat al-‐Rahbeh (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-0153).
- Russian airstrikes and clashes between ISIL militants and pro-‐Assad forces in and near Tadmor/Palmyra cause extensive damage in the area (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-0155).
- SARG airstrikes continue in the governorates of Damascus, and Homs.
- Russian airstrikes continue in the governorates of Aleppo, Damascus, Hama, Homs, Idlib, and Latakia.
- Religious heritage sites were damaged by airstrikes in the regions of Hama (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-‐0154), Aleppo (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-‐0156), and Idlib (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-‐0157)
- Ongoing airstrikes on the city of Aleppo, including portions of the Old City, caused extensive damage and high civilian casualties.