Iraq nominates Assyrian Nineveh for UNESCO World Heritage listing amid restoration efforts

NINEVEH, Iraq — Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani, has announced the nomination of several new sites for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among these is the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh. He highlighted the significant progress made this year in archaeological discoveries, with around 40 excavation missions currently active across the country.

Al-Badrani emphasized that efforts are ongoing to restore antiquities destroyed in the city of Mosul, which suffered extensive damage and looting during the occupation by the Islamic State (ISIS). The minister’s remarks come as Iraq intensifies its efforts to preserve its rich cultural heritage and revive its ancient sites.

The historical sites of Mosul and Nineveh were heavily vandalized during ISIS’s control of the city. Videos released online showed ISIS militants using hammers and drills to destroy Assyrian antiquities, including the iconic 9th-century BC statue of the winged bull. Alongside this destruction, the terrorist group looted and sold numerous artifacts to fund its operations in the region. Restoration of these invaluable historical sites remains a key priority for Iraq’s cultural authorities.