WEEKLY REPORT 75-76
January 6–19, 2016
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Amr al-Azm, Allison Cuneo, Susan Penacho, Bijan Rohani, Marina Gabriel, Kyra Kaercher, and 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
Sectarian tensions in Iraq are escalating as a result of the ongoing conflict with ISIL, and Muslim places of worship have become flashpoints for violence. ISIL’s expansion in the region brought attacks on Shia religious sites and neighborhoods. In response, Shia militias have targeted Sunni populations, including religious sites. During the reporting period, Shia militiamen attacked several Sunni mosques in the city of Muqdadiya, Iraq in the wake of ISIL attacks a day earlier. At the time of publication, it was difficult to ascertain which mosques were targeted in this specific incident, and which may have been damaged at other times. As such, all mosques named by media outlets covering the attack have been listed in the corresponding incident report. This report will be updated as more information becomes available. ASOR CHI remains concerned as to the ongoing sectarian violence in Diyala Governorate and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Since the escalation of aerial bombardment campaigns in September 2015, ASOR CHI has observed an increase in the damage sustained to of civilian buildings, including mosques, across Aleppo, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, and Idlib governorates. The incidents that took place during the current reporting period continue to reflect this trend. Five mosques were struck by aerial bombardment in Aleppo Governorate, two of which were located in Aleppo city. Airstrikes also damaged a mosque inthe city of Deir ez-Zor, two mosques in Damascus Governorate, and a mosque in Idlib Governorate. The First Armenian Evangelical Church of Emmanuel in Aleppo city was also struck, but the perpetrators are believed to be opposition forces.
The DGAM also reported looting and illicit excavation in Quneitra. This is the second DGAM report of such activity from the region since late October 2015 (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-0163 in Weekly Report 71–72 and ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-0139 in Weekly Report 63– 64).
Only one new satellite image was made available during the reporting period, covering Latakia.
Key points from this report:
- Shia militias attacked several Sunni mosques in the city of Muqdadiya, Diyala Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 16-0002).
- Russian airstrikes damaged the interior of Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Bayanoun Town in Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0002).
- Suspected Russian airstrikes damaged two mosques in Aleppo city including the Abdullah bin Abbas Mosque and the Agha Jaq Mosque (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0003).
- DGAM reported illegal excavation, looting, and illegal construction in Quneitra Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0004).
- Regime airstrikes damaged the Aisha Mosque in the city of Deir ez-Zor (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0005).
- Regime shelling severely damaged Al Hadi Mosque in Babeis Town in Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0006).
- Suspected Russian airstrikes damaged al-Kabir Mosque in Mu’arrassat al Khan Town in Aleppo Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0007).
- Regime airstrikes targeted Al Kabir Mosque in Al Mouzra village in Idlib Governorate, causing severe damage (ASOR CHI Incident Report IHI 15-0008).
- Regime warplanes fired missiles on al-Kabir Mosque in Deir al-Asafir village in Damascus Governorate, causing severe damage (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 16-0009).
- Regime shelling damaged an unidentified mosque in Zamalka in Damascus Governorate (ASOR CHI Incident Report SHI 15-0010).
- Opposition forces shelled the First Armenian Evangelical Church of Emmanuel in Azizeyah Neighborhood in Aleppo City in Aleppo Governorate, causing severe damage (ASOR CHI Incident Report 16-0011).