Fears mount for Iraq heritage after IS museum rampage

Archaeologists expressed fears Friday that after ransacking the Mosul museum in Iraq, Islamic State group jihadists would embark on a systematic destruction of heritage in areas under their control.

 

Particularly at risk are the ancient cities of Hatra, a UNESCO world heritage site, and Nimrud. Both are south of Mosul, which has been the jihadists’ main hub in Iraq since June last year.

 

“This is not the end of the story and the international community must intervene,” said Abdelamir Hamdani, an Iraqi archaeologist at New York’s Stony Brook University.

 

IS released a video on Thursday showing its militants smashing ancient statues to pieces with sledgehammers at the Mosul museum.

 

Read More: Fears mount for Iraq heritage after IS museum rampage – Business Insider