WEEKLY REPORT 109-110
September 1–15, 2016
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Allison Cuneo, Susan Penacho, 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
During the reporting period, areas of Aleppo Governorate saw renewed fighting, aerial bombardment, and the deployment of new Turkish infantry units that entered northern Aleppo Governorate in support of border clearing operations. Aerial bombardment over Syria resulted in damage to several mosques in Homs, Idlib, Hama, Daraa, and Aleppo Governorates. Reported SARG shelling damaged an Ayyubid-era citadel in Daraa Governorate, as well as an ancient wall in the old city of Aleppo.
In Iraq, US-led Coalition airstrikes continued in support of Iraqi forces as they advanced on ISIL- held territories. The US-led Coalition continues to target ISIL militants in areas across Iraq. Random attacks, often carried out by ISIL, continue to plague Baghdad and other cities and towns across Iraq. One such attack during the reporting period struck just outside a Shia mosque in Mandali, Diyala Governorate.
Key points from this report:
- A suicide bomber detonated a device outside a Shia mosque in Mandali, Diyala Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0030).
- New photographs show the extent of the damage to a mosque in Tadmor, Homs Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-0160 UPDATE).
- SARG forces and pro-regime militias allegedly shelled the Ayyubid Citadel in Bosra, Daraa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0138 UPDATE).
- APSA published images of damage to the ancient city walls near Bab Qinnasrin and Bab Antakya in Aleppo (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0139).
- SARG and regime-allied warplanes allegedly struck and damaged four mosques in Idlib Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0140).
- A video allegedly shows an airstrike on a mosque in Arbaeen, Hama Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0141).
- New video footage shows damage to three mosques in the Qaboun neighborhood of Damascus (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0142).
- SARG warplanes allegedly fired missiles on three mosques in Daraa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0143).
- Alleged Russian airstrikes damaged a mosque in Anadan, Aleppo Governorate and video footage shows damage to a mosque in the city of Aleppo (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0144).
- Reported Russian airstrikes damaged a mosque in Batbo, Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0145).
- A STEP News Agency video report shows damage to an ancient site in Huarte, Hama Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0146).
- New video footage shows damage to two mosques and a cemetery in Hreitan, Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0147).