Executive Council and Antiquities Supreme Council of North and East Syria meet to discuss challenges in protecting cultural heritage sites

BETH ZALIN, Syria — In comments to SyriacPress, Deputy Co-Chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria (AANES) Gabriel Shamoun shared details about Monday’s meeting held with the Antiquities Supreme Council and its departments in the Autonomous and Civil Administrations.

The meeting was organized and sponsored by the AANES Culture Authority to discuss the challenges faced by the Antiquities Directorate in the region, including looting and destruction of historical sites.

“The political situation in the region and the continuous Turkish threats to North and East Syria were discussed,” said Shamoun. “Then, the departments reports were read, and challenges and suggested solutions were discussed.”

The group evaluated the damages inflicted upon archaeological sites in Mabbug (Manbij) and Tabqa, such as Qal’at Najm (Najm Castle), Qal’at Ja’bar (Ja’bar Castle), and Zalabiya and Halabiya areas in Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor).

Shamoun shared that the meeting ended with several positive outcomes, including increased coordination with the People’s Municipalities to prevent unauthorized building without a license from the Antiquities Directorate, increased collaboration with security and military authorities to protect archaeological sites, and the creation of a comprehensive record of the antiquities found in North and East Syria.