On Thursday, March 5, the Iraqi government announced that forces of the Islamic State group, known as ISIS, have begun destroying ancient artifacts in the city of Nimrud, which dates back to the Assyrian period, using bulldozers. According to the French news agency AFP, the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities stated that ISIS forces have attacked Iraq's cultural heritage in their latest assault, using bulldozers and other heavy vehicles to destroy the ancient city of Nimrud. An official from the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities confirmed the news of the destruction of Nimrud's artifacts, stating to AFP that the destruction occurred after the noon prayer. This unnamed Iraqi official also mentioned that the extent of the destruction in the city is still unclear. According to AFP, Nimrud is one of the jewels of Assyrian civilization, built in the 13th century BC near the Tigris River, located 30 kilometers from the city of Mosul. Abdul Amir Hamdani, an Iraqi archaeologist from Stony Brook University in New York, commented, 'Unfortunately, I must say we were all expecting this event. Their plan is to destroy Iraq's heritage.' This Iraqi archaeologist emphasized that their next action will be the destruction of the city of Hatra. This news is truly heartbreaking. The city of Hatra, or Al-Hadra, is located in the Nineveh province of Iraq, 150 kilometers southwest of Mosul, and is from the Parthian period. According to AFP, the archaeological site of Hatra is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. While the news of the destruction of Nimrud was published, two weeks ago, the Islamic State group (formerly ISIS) released a video showing its members destroying artifacts in the Mosul Museum with sledgehammers and large electric drills. This summer, the Islamic State group managed to capture vast areas of Sunni regions, including Nineveh province and the city of Mosul. The battle for Iraqi forces, in cooperation with Iran, to reclaim parts of these areas is currently ongoing in Salah al-Din province and the city of Tikrit.
Iraqi Government: Destruction of Ancient Artifacts in Nimrud by ISIS
The Iraqi government has reported that ISIS has begun destroying ancient artifacts in Nimrud, an important Assyrian site, using bulldozers. This act of cultural destruction highlights ISIS's ongoing campaign against Iraq's heritage, with experts fearing further attacks on other significant sites like Hatra. The situation underscores the challenges faced by Iraqi forces and their allies in protecting cultural heritage amidst ongoing conflict.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
ISIS has begun destroying ancient artifacts in Nimrud, a significant Assyrian archaeological site, using heavy machinery. This act is part of their broader campaign against Iraq's cultural heritage.
- Nimrud dates back to the 13th century BC and is located near Mosul.
- ISIS previously released a video showing the destruction of artifacts in the Mosul Museum.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Nimrud is one of the most important archaeological sites in Iraq, and its destruction reflects ISIS's broader strategy to erase cultural identities. The ongoing conflict in Iraq has led to significant cultural losses.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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