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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, SARG and pro-regime forces recaptured the Old City of Aleppo from Syrian opposition forces after four years of opposition control. Opposition forces and civilians from formerly opposition-held areas were evacuated to areas in other opposition-held areas in Syria. Initial photographs and video footage from the area show extensive destruction of the Old City of Aleppo, an area that has been heavily bombarded throughout the conflict.

In mid-December, ISIL militants recaptured the ancient site of Palmyra and the modern city of Tadmor from SARG and pro-regime forces. No immediate information of new damage to Palmyra was released, however the international community remains concerned as to whether or not the militants will continue their pattern of destruction in the archaeological site.

Iraqi Security Forces, backed by US-led Coalition airstrikes, continue to advance further into neighborhoods in the Eastern Bank of Mosul, forcing ISIL to retreat. In retaliation, ISIL militants continue to stage surprise attacks, including suicide car bombs, in areas lost by the group and in the capital Baghdad. Photographs and video footage from newly recaptured areas in Mosul and in the Nineveh Plains show extensive damage to religious sites, including Christian and Yezidi sites of worship and cemeteries.

Key Points

• New video footage shows additional damage to a church and cemetery in Bartella, Ninawa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0035 UPDATE).
• New photographs show damage to sites in Bashiqa and Bahzani, Ninawa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0046 UPDATE).
• New reports and photographs show damage to the Church of the Holy Spirit in Mosul, Ninawa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0033).
• Video footage shows damage to two mosques in Daraa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0177).
• Reported SARG forces damaged a Greek Orthodox church in Al Waer, Homs Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0179).
• Reported SARG airstrikes damage a mosque in Aleppo, Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0180).
• A fire destroyed or damaged approximately 20 shops in al-Hamidiyah Souq in Damascus, Damascus Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0181).
• An airstrike of unidentified origin damaged a mosque in al-Lataminah, Hama Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report 16-0182).
• The DGAM released new photographs showing illegal excavation of Tell Ash’ari, Daraa Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report 16-0183).
• Reported SARG airstrikes damage two mosques in Taftanaz, Idlib Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report 16-0184).
• New photographs released by various sources show damage to multiple sites in the Old City of Aleppo, Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0192).