Ancient City of Damascus

Before the conflict:

• Poor state of conservation
• Inappropriate restoration techniques
• Lack of a buffer zone
• Lack of a management plan
• Development projects threatening the significant historic fabric

Since March 2011:

• Damage due to the armed conflict
• Fire due to an electrical incident at al-Asrooniya and elsewhere in the property

Destruction as well as ascertained and potential threats consequent to the armed conflict in Syria started in March 2011

Not yet identified

Total amount granted to the property: USD 10,000 from the Italian Funds-in-Trust.

Total amount provided to the six Syrian World Heritage properties for World Heritage, movable and intangible heritage: 2.46 million Euros by the European Union, USD 170,000 by the Flemish Government, 63,000 Euros by the Austrian Government, USD 200,000 by the German Government ; for cultural heritage under conflict: USD 200,000 by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage in Bahrain

On 15 January 2018, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report for the six Syrian World Heritage properties, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/20/documents and includes updated information, progress and difficulties in a number of conservation issues addressed by the Committee, as follows:

• In addition to the fires reported in 2017, several fires broke within the property and its buffer zone between July and November 2017. Within the property, several traditional houses have been severely damaged by fire in al-Amara neighborhood (1 October and 16 November 2017) and by an explosion in Mazanet al-Shahm neighborhood (11 October 2017). In the buffer zone, several shops were severely damaged by fire at Bab al-Jabiyah Suq (27 July 2017), on King Faisal street between Saroujah Suq and al-Manahkhilah Suq (10 September 2017),and at Saroujah Suq (12 September 2017);
• The damage assessment has been carried out in collaboration with the Damascus Governorate and the owners; despite the intention to preserve the historic and traditional urban fabric, the construction techniques and materials used to rebuild the shops are not those historically used in the property because of their lack of availability;
• The Directorate of the Old City (Damascus Governorate) continues implementing an underground electric network;
• Following the fire that erupted in al-Asrooniyah neighborhood in April 2016, and in line with the recommendations of the UNESCO Technical Assistance Workshop organized in December 2016, the owners of the shops located in the ‘Ottoman Bank’ building decided to abandon the reconstruction scheme that was initially proposed and opted for a restoration project that respects the original structural design of the building. Consequently, it was decided to replace the pillars, all weakened by fire, by squared metal columns, similar to the original ones that will be able to withstand the weight of the roof;
• The Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) finalized the first phase of the Anqa project (a joint ICOMOS/CyArk initiative) by 3D modelling seven landmark monuments and a number of artifacts of the National Museum of Damascus.

See General Decision 42 COM 36 of this Document on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The damages regularly caused by fire in the property are of growing concern. It is crucial to analyze the reasons behind these fires and implement all necessary risk-prevention and mitigation measures outlined in the Emergency Response Plan of December 2013, as requested by the Committee since 2015. In terms of the response, it is also important that the main recommendations agreed upon during the 2016 UNESCO First Aid Support Meeting be implemented as requested by the Committee Decision 41 COM 7A.46. In particular, the strict use of traditional construction techniques and materials is required for all restoration works to avoid the deterioration of the urban fabric and the gradual loss of its authenticity. Although restoration works at the shops were urgent, it is regrettable that the project was not submitted to the World Heritage Centre for examination by the Advisory Bodies, before any works were implemented, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.

Finally, it becomes crucial to develop an integrated management plan for the property along with a database of documentation and archives to inform restoration decisions.

The State Party’s decision to replace the initial restoration project for the Ottoman Bank in al-Asrooniya neighborhood with a revised one, in line with the recommendations of the 2016 UNESCO Technical Assistance Workshop is a welcomed decision. It is recommended that the Committee commend the State Party for this decision, request it to provide the detailed designs for the revised project, and encourage it to continue implementing all the recommendations of the Workshop.

It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission to the property to examine the restoration works that have been undertaken and the foreseen ones, and the management and risk prevention measures taken, as soon as the situation allows. 

36.       General Decision on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic

• Current conservation issues
  

  The armed conflict in Syria started in March 2011 and has constantly escalated leading to significant violence and degradation of humanitarian conditions. It continues to inflict damage on the inscribed properties as well as on the 12 sites inscribed on the Tentative List. Sites continue to be damaged by shelling, fires, extensive illegal excavations, military use, construction violations, in addition to intentional destructions and inappropriate use of archaeological sites by internally displaced populations. 

  On 15 January 2017, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/42COM/documents/#state_of_conservation_reports, with detailed information on the destruction and damage at the six World Heritage properties. This report represents an official statement from the Syrian authorities and collates available information from the branches of the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) and from the local communities up to 31 December 2017. The State Party notes that as ground access in Syria for heritage experts is limited, the full extent of the damage to World Heritage properties cannot be assessed in detail. In particular, the report does not provide first-hand information on the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria and the Ancient City of Bosra that are exposed to the armed conflict, and thus does not allow a full understanding of the extent of damage at these properties.

  The State Party reported on the actions carried out by the DGAM, despite the difficult working conditions, to monitor the World Heritage properties and cultural heritage in general, assess damages, undertake emergency conservation and risk mitigation actions whenever possible, and inventory built and movable heritage. The report also stressed the DGAM efforts in maintaining salaries for its staff in the inaccessible Ancient Villages of Northern Syria, and highlighted the positive role played by local communities in some cases to safeguard heritage and limit illegal excavations.

  On 21 January 2018, the State Party provided updated information on the conservation of the sites inscribed on the Tentative List, which indicates the following:

  • In ‘Mari (Tell Hariri) and Dura Europos’, images of the sites sent by local communities confirm illegal excavations at both sites and damages at the Royal Palace in Mari. The DGAM is planning an emergency mission to these sites that are currently back under governmental control and guarded by local communities;
  • In ‘Maaloula’, the Municipality and the United Nations Programme for Development (UNDP) have completed the rehabilitation of infrastructures;
  • ‘Raqqa-Rafiqa: the Abassid City’ is under the control of armed groups;
  • No further damages are reported at the sites of ‘Ebla (Tell Mardikh)’, ‘Apamea (Afamia)’, ‘Qasr al-Hayr ach-Charqi, a desert Castle’;
  • No information is given for the sites of ‘Arwad Island’, ‘Noreas of Hama’, ‘Tartus: the Crusaders Citadel-City’ and ‘Ugrarit (Tell Shamra).

  Activities undertaken by UNESCO

  • Since the 41st session of the Committee (Krakow, 2017), UNESCO has pursued its actions to assist the State Party in its continuous and sustained efforts to safeguard cultural heritage;
  • At the international level, UNESCO continues to raise the awareness of the international community on the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria, notably through the #Unite4Heritage campaign and in the framework of the implementation of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2199 (February 2015) and Resolution 2347 (March 2017) recognizing for the first time the importance of heritage protection for peace and security;
  • At the national level, UNESCO has pursued its activities to monitor the situation of Syrian cultural heritage, raise awareness on its protection, undertake short, medium and long-term actions to safeguard it, and coordinate the work of national and international entities working on its safeguarding;
  • In the framework of the European Union-funded project “Emergency Safeguarding of Syrian Cultural Heritage” (2.46 million euros), co-financed by Flanders and Austria, started in March 2014 and implemented in partnership with ICOMOS and ICCROM, the following activities were undertaken:
  • From 26 February to 2 March 2018, a training workshop was organized in Beirut on emergency and preventive conservation techniques for museums and collections,
  • From September 2017 to April 2018, a “Vocational Training in Stone Carving/Cutting and Stone Masonry” workshop was organized in Aleppo in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) to provide practical training and theory to 30 builders and stone masons in view of involving them in future restoration works (Aleppo),
  • In November and December 2017, workshops, a round table and exhibition entitled “Archaeology for a Young Future” were organized in Beirut (Lebanon), in collaboration with the Society of the Friends of the American University of Beirut, on local communities’ involvement in the archaeological preservation of the Qamishli area (Syria),
  • In September 2017, a First Aid Support Meeting was organized in Rieti (Italy) in collaboration with the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica (CCA) for the conservation of the mosaics of the Maarat al-Nu’man Museum, which mostly originate from the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria
  • On 10 and 11 August 2017, a first Aid Support Meeting was organized on on traditional materials and techniques in Aleppo
  • The 3D documentation and structural analysis of the Crac des Chevaliers, Beit Ghazaleh and Beit Ajiqbash (Museum of Folks Arts) in Aleppo have been completed by the DGAM with the technical support of professional teams,
  • A 52-minute "Documentary on the Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural Heritage" in Arabic, English and French, on the actions implemented for the protection of cultural heritage in Syria is being produced and foreseen to be launched by August 2018;
  • In the framework of the project funded by Germany entitled “Capacity Building, Technical and Media Support for the Protection of Syrian Cultural Heritage” (USD 200,000) implemented in collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute (DAI), between November and December 2017, three workshops were organized in Beirut and one was organized in Berlin to enhance the Syrian professionals capacities in recording, storing and analyzing cultural heritage research data;
  • The UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund provided financial support for the following activities:
  • The emergency consolidation of the stair-step bridge leading to the main gate of the Aleppo Citadel; debris management and damage assessment for 170 historic buildings in the property, by the DGAM.
  • A publication on damage assessment in the Ancient City of Aleppo, jointly prepared by the World Heritage Centre and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research’s Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNITAR/UNOSAT);
  • The restoration of the statue of the Lion of Athena/Lion of Al-lāt of Palmyra, by the DGAM with the support of the Polish archaeological
  • In the framework of the Flemish Funds-in-Trust project entitled ‘Implementation of the Committee Decisions for the Site of Palmyra’ (USD 100 000), an international expert mission to the site is foreseen to support the DGAM in planning emergency consolidation works in Palmyra, but could not be undertaken yet, due to the security situation on the ground.
  • The joint World Heritage Centre/ICCROM/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission, which was foreseen to be carried out to Damascus and Aleppo in March 2017, could not take place under the United Nations security and safety rules.
  • The UNESCO Culture and Education national officers in Aleppo continue to ensure coordination with local and national authorities for the implementation of activities for the recovery of the property.

  Activities undertaken by the Advisory Bodies

  • Capacity building for six Syrian professionals has taken place through their participation in a number of ICCROM activities such as the short course series organized by the ICCROM-Sharjah Office on the conservation and documentation of built cultural heritage, and also ICCROM's International Course on Stone Conservation.  In addition, active participation of senior officials took place in the Arab Cultural Heritage Forum as well as the colloquia organized by ICCROM on post-conflict reconstruction at Louvre-Lens and in Rome.
  • ICOMOS has closely followed the situation in Syria, maintaining contact with the cultural heritage community in the country, and working to provide advice and raise awareness. Through its Project Anqa, run in cooperation with Cyark, and funded by the Arcadia Foundation, ICOMOS contributed to the 3D recording of six at-risk heritage sites in Syria and capacity building of Syrian professionals – with the aim of fostering the creation of a sustainable 3D architectural inventory. It is also a partner in the AMAL in Heritage project (mobile and web application for rapid damage assessment of cultural heritage in conflict zones) launched by the Global Heritage Fund (GHF) in partnership with ICCROM, the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), and the Prince Claus Fund, which has also provided training to Syrian professionals.

• Analysis and Conclusions of the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and ICCROM

The armed conflict situation in Syria and its continued escalation has affected the six World Heritage properties and has substantially limited capacities to adequately sustain and protect their Outstanding Universal Value. The properties have been increasingly threatened by ascertained and potential dangers, in particular the Ancient City of Aleppo, which has been extensively and increasingly destroyed, and which runs the risk of further irreversible destructions during the challenging recovery phase.

The illegal excavations across archaeological sites and tells in Syria are a major source for the illicit trafficking of cultural objects and are causing extensive and irreversible damages to those sites, many of which are on Syria’s Tentative List, as well as providing looted artifacts for sale in regional and international black markets.

It is recommended that the Committee commend the DGAM, heritage professionals in Syria and local communities who have made sustained efforts to protect cultural heritage and to monitor it closely.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies will continue to support the State Party in the identification of the necessary corrective measures and in the development of a Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), for all six properties, as soon as the situation allows.

It is important that humanitarian and security actions be done in coordination with cultural heritage stakeholders, to avoid further irreversible damages to the properties, and allow for undertaking first aid measures for its cultural heritage. Furthermore, it is recommended that systematic documentation of all damage incurred at the World Heritage properties be duly pursued, whenever the situation allows, and that the Committee reiterate its call to the State Party to safeguard damaged properties through minimal first aid interventions to prevent theft, further collapse and natural degradation, and refrain from undertaking other measures until the situation allows for the development of a comprehensive strategy and action plan that respond to international standards and high-quality scientific methods.

With regard to post-conflict interventions, it is recommended that the Committee call on the State Party to plan the future of the World Heritage properties according to international conservation charters and standards, in full consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

It is recommended that the Committee call for international and national heritage professionals to continue to unite for the safeguarding of Syria’s cultural heritage; and to further support its safeguarding through earmarked funds and to contributions to the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund.

Until conditions improve, it is also recommended that the Committee urge all parties associated with the conflict in Syria to refrain from any action that can further damage the heritage of the country, in particular World Heritage properties and all sites included on the Tentative List, and to fulfil their obligations under international law, and in particular the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017, in part by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage including the evacuation of World Heritage properties used for military purposes, and the halting of all damages that result from targeting World Heritage properties. It is also recommended that the Committee reiterate its suggestion that the State Party consider ratifying the Second Protocol (1999) of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Heritage during times of Armed Conflict.

It is further recommended that the Committee also call upon all parties associated with the conflict in Syria and the international community, in particular the neighboring countries to Syria, to ensure effective measures for the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural objects, in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2199.