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How did ISIL damage the ancient cities of Nineveh and Hatra?
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World Heritage site
Reclining Buddha statue, Ajanta Caves, north-central Maharashtra state, India.
The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is widely condemned as a war crime, as it represents a malicious assault on the shared history and identity of humanity.1
ISIL fighters targeted the ancient cities of Nineveh and Hatra as part of a campaign to erase artifacts and imagery they deemed idolatrous. Their actions included:213
- Nineveh: Between 2014 and 2016, ISIL launched attacks to destroy bas-relief sculptures, winged bulls, and other significant artifacts, including items housed within the Mosul Museum.3
- Hatra: In April 2015, video evidence documented ISIL members smashing statues and decorations throughout the site. Reports also indicated that portions of the ancient city were bulldozed.2
Beyond these acts of destruction, ISIL also looted treasures from these sites to sell and fund their military operations. Such actions underscore the ethical imperative to protect cultural property from the violence of armed conflict, as these sites are irreplaceable testaments to human civilization.1