WEEKLY REPORT 117-118
November 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, Richard Zettler, Ali Jabuuri
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, heavy weaponry and bombardment resulted in significant damage to cultural sites in Syria. In Aleppo Governorate, mortar fire from Opposition Forces damaged a mosque in Aleppo and a mortar shell damaged the Maronite Diocese Office in Damascus. Aerial bombardment resulted in damage to places of worship in Rif Dimashq, Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib Governorates.
Despite significant losses of territory as Iraqi forces have marched toward Mosul, ISIL continues to engage in the intentional destruction of heritage places, resulting in significant losses. The Latin Church in Mosul, also known colloquially as the Clock Tower Church, was demolished by militants during the reporting period. Additionally, the Ziggurat at the archaeological site of Nimrud, the ancient Assyrian capital of Kalhu, was completely leveled, with destruction beginning at some point between September 31 and October 2, 2016 and continuing until October 16.
The liberation of areas east and south of the city by the Mosul Operation has revealed new evidence of damage to cultural sites that occurred earlier during the ISIL occupation of Ninawa Governorate. These regions are home to predominantly Christian populations, and much of the related news media and open source coverage has focused on damaged places of worship and civilian property. Reports so far have covered damage to multiple sites in the towns of Batnaya, Bakhdida (Qaraqosh), Karamlish, and Bartella.
As a consequence of the Mosul Operation Kurdish Peshmerga forces have militarized the site of Khorsabad. The Peshmerga have constructed extensive trenches and earthworks across the entire archaeological mound that cut deep into archaeological deposits and revealed large architectural fragments. The trenching has impacted the entire perimeter of the ancient city and large areas of the palace area. Like the Russian sapper base at Palmyra, the actions of the Peshmerga at Khorsabad may potentially represent a violation of Article 4 of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, commonly known as the 1954 Hague Convention.
Key points from this report:
- Newly published photographs show damage to several Christian sites in Bartella, Ninawa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0035 UPDATE).
- New video footage and photographs show destruction of multiple Christian sites in Karamlish, Ninawa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0038).
- Satellite imagery confirms ISIL militants demolished a section of the Clock Church in Mosul, Ninawa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0039).
- ISIL militant seized and occupy the Grand Mosque of Shirqat, Salah ad Din Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0040).
- ISIL-affiliated Amaq News Agency released a video of recruitment taking place inside a mosque in Tel Afar, Ninawa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0041).
- New video footage and photographs from Batnaya show damage to two churches and the town cemetery (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0042).
- New video footage and photographs show damage to several Christian sites in Bakhdida, Ninawa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0043).
- Local reports and new satellite imagery show damage to the site of Khorsabad due to militarization (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0044).
- Satellite imagery shows earthmoving equipment leveled the Ziggurat and damaged the Ishtar Temple at the site of Nimrud, Ninawa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0045).
- The DGAM reports ongoing illegal excavation at Dura Europos, Deir ez-Zor Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0161).
- A missile, allegedly fired by opposition forces, damaged a mosque in the city of Aleppo (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0162).
- An alleged Russian airstrike damaged a mosque in Darat Izza, Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0163).
- A mortar shell damaged the Maronite Diocese Office in Damascus (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0164).
- An alleged SARG airstrike damaged a mosque in Tarmala, Idlib Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0165).
- Alleged SARG forces dropped barrel bombs on a mosque in Kafr Zaita, Hama Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0166).
- An airstrike, allegedly conducted by SARG or SARG-allied forces, damaged a mosque in Khan al-Sheih, Rif Dimashq Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0167).
- A Russian airstrike allegedly damaged a mosque in Mashmashan, Idlib Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0168).