WEEKLY REPORT 103-104
July 20 – August 2, 2016
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Allison Cuneo, Susan Penacho, Amr Al-Azm, Bijan Rouhani, Marina Gabriel, Kyra Kaercher, Jamie O’Connell
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
DigitalGlobe satellite imagery revealed ongoing extensive development within the site of Nineveh. Since August 2015, ASOR CHI has monitored the construction of a large multi-lane road that bisects the archaeological site. The road appears to have been completed in June 2016 imagery, with an added irrigation trench passing underneath this new road. Furthermore, multiple new tunnels, likely for looting, are visible in the recent imagery. Some in-country sources have interpreted thesetunnels as military in character and designed to facilitate ISIL’s defense on the eastern frontlines.ASOR CHI will continue to investigate tunnel construction at Nineveh and other archaeological sites in Iraq and Syria.
Also in Iraq, ASOR CHI continues to investigate damage to cultural sites in Fallujah. This weekly report assesses the damage inflicted on the city while under ISIL occupation.
In Syria, opposition forces attempt to break the SARG-imposed siege in Aleppo, characterized by intense human suffering, heated combat, tunnel bombing, and airstrikes. The Aleppo Museum was once against struck during combat, while multiple mosques in Aleppo and nearby Manbij were also damaged. Multiple heritage sites were damaged during clashes in central Damascus, Idlib and Raqqa Governorates, and the city of Daraa. Notably, the Byzantine site of Shinsharah in Idlib Governorate was hit by an airstrike and seven mosques in city of Idlib were damaged by airstrikes. Additionally, an ISIL suicide bombing targeted a mosque in al-Hasakah Governorate.
Key points from this report:
- Construction of a multi-lane road and irrigation trench through a section of the ancient site of Nineveh in ISIL-occupied Mosul was completed in June 2016 (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 15-0097 UPDATE).
- New looting tunnels have been identified at the site of Nineveh using DigitalGlobe satellite imagery (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0010 UPDATE).
- Iraqi Government airstrikes reportedly damaged several mosques in Fallujah, al-Anbar Governorate between 2014 and 2016, before the start of the campaign to retake the city from ISIL militants in May 2016 (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0024).
- Iraqi Government airstrikes allegedly destroyed al-Habib Muhammad Mosque in Hit District, al-Anbar Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0025).
- Local activist groups published new photographs of damage to al-Fatah Mosque in Manbij, Aleppo (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0104 UPDATE).
- Local activist published new videos of damage to a cemetery and mosque in Kafr Hamra, Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0108 UPDATE).
- An ARA News article provided more details of the July 17-18, 2016 attack on Mar Sharbel Syrian Orthodox Church in the village of al-Witwitiyah, al-Hasakah Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0108 UPDATE).
- A Russian airstrike allegedly damaged Musaib bin Umeer Mosque in al-Tabqa, Raqqa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0111).
- SARG and Russian airstrikes allegedly damaged seven mosques in the city of Idlib on July 22, 2016 (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0112).
- A SARG helicopter allegedly dropped a barrel bomb on a mosque and rocket-propelled grenades damaged a second mosque in the city of Aleppo (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0113).
- The DGAM reported severe damage to the entrance of the Aleppo Museum in the city of Aleppo (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0114).
- A SARG airstrike allegedly damaged Aqil ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the suburbs of Damascus (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0115).
- Mortar fire allegedly originating from opposition territory struck and damaged a restaurant located in an historic building in the Old City of Damascus (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0116).
- Two ISIL suicide bombings damaged Qasemo Mosque in al-Qamishli, al-Hasakah Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0117).
- A SARG airstrike allegedly damaged al-Sheikh Khalil Mosque in the city of Daraa (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0118).
- SARG airstrikes reportedly hit the Byzantine site of Shinsharah in Idlib Governorate, causing unknown damage (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0119).