UNESCO condemns destruction of antiquities by ISIL in Mideast
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has condemned the destruction of antiquities in the Middle East, specifically Iraq, by the ISIL Takfiri terrorists, saying the move amounts to “war crime.”
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Wednesday in reference to the destruction and looting of historic artifacts by ISIL that the move was a “tactic of war” designed to finance criminal activities, spread hatred and terrify the residents of the region.
A two-day international conference aimed at unifying international efforts to combat the destruction of antiquities by terrorist groups kicked off on Wednesday in Cairo. The event is in response to the destruction of archaeological sites in Iraq and smuggling of antiquities in the same country as well as Syria, Egypt and Libya by the ISIL militants. A total of 10 Arab nations are represented in the conference.
The UNESCO chief on Tuesday censured the Saudi airstrikes on Yemen, which she said are targeting the “unique cultural heritage” of the impoverished Arab country.
“In addition to causing terrible human suffering, these attacks are destroying Yemen’s unique cultural heritage, which is the repository of people’s identity, history and memory and an exceptional testimony to the achievements of the Islamic civilization,” Bokova stated.
Bokova had earlier condemned the destruction of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in Iraq by ISIL.
“I condemn with the strongest force the destruction of the site at Nimrud,” said Irina Bokova, on May 6, adding, “We cannot stay silent. The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage constitutes a war crime, and I call on all political and religious leaders in the region to stand up against this new barbarity.”
On February 26, ISIL released a video showing its militants using sledgehammers and drills to smash ancient statues at the Mosul Museum, which put on display Assyrian artifacts dating back to the 9th century B.C.
The Takfiri terrorists have already razed to the ground a number of mosques in Syria and Iraq, many of them dating back to the early years of the Islamic civilization. The terrorists have also destroyed tombs belonging to revered Shia and Sunni figures.
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