Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat)

• Management activities
• Managements systems/management plan
• Water infrastructure (dam building project)
• Partial flooding and seepage
• Fragile mud brick structures
• Absence of a comprehensive conservation and management plan
• Destruction and damage due to the armed conflict

• Nearby construction of a dam entailing partial flooding and seepage
• Armed conflict

Not yet drafted

Not yet identified

Not yet identified

Total amount granted (for World Heritage properties of Iraq):

• USD 6,000 from the Italian Funds-in-Trust
• USD 1.5 million by the Government of Japan (for cultural heritage, including World Heritage)
• USD 154,000 by the Government of Norway (for cultural heritage, including World Heritage)
• EUR 300,000 by the Government of Italy (for cultural heritage, including World Heritage)
• USD 35,000 by the Government of the Netherlands (for cultural heritage, including World Heritage)
• USD 100,000 Heritage Emergency Fund - support for Iraqi World Heritage properties.
• USD 35,782 from the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust (for Strengthening capacities in state of conservation reporting on properties inscribed on the list of World Heritage in Danger)
• USD 50,000 from the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust (Strengthening capacities for the documentation and conservation of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger in Iraq)

On 31 January 2022, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1130/documents. Additional information was submitted on 4 March 2023. Progress in a number of conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions is presented in those reports, as follows:

• The construction of Makhool dam would have a severe impact on the property, and on other archaeological sites in the vicinity, if its construction proceeds as planned. The Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources sought to undertake studies in order to arrive at suitable mitigation measures to ensure the safeguarding of the property;
• An agreement was signed between the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH), the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the American University of Iraq – Sulaimani (AUIS) to identify archaeological sites that would be threatened by the Makhool dam, document the damage resulting from conflict at the property, strengthen capacities in archaeological investigation and documentation, and develop a master management plan to mitigate the potential damage that would result from the construction of the dam;
• In updated information transmitted in March 2023, the State Party informed the World Heritage Centre that all works related to the construction of Makhoul Dam have been stopped;
• Cleaning, conservation and renovation works have been carried out on some parts of the property to mitigate the risks posed by weathering, water damage and destruction due to armed conflict;
• An overview of the history and damage sustained, and proposed conservation actions to be carried out, have been provided for the following structures:

• The structure of the Ziggurat continues to deteriorate, despite the backfilling of the trench in 2018, as decayed cavities remain and continue to expand at the top of the Ziggurat,
• As a temporary stabilisation measure, the Centre of Archaeology and Heritage at AUIS, added new iron supports to the second arch of the Tabira Gate to avoid collapse, but additional work is crucial to conserve the other arches which are also on the verge of collapse,
• The rehabilitation of the Walter Andrae Palace has proceeded in the framework of the agreement between SBAH and the University of Munich, and following recommendations of technical review. It will become the residence archaeological expeditions,
• Parts of the ‘Masnah’ (buttress) have been eroded and there is uncertainty on whether the foundations still exist as they are submerged in the river. The State Party highlights that collapse of the cliff on the eastern riverbank poses an imminent threat to the property,
• Outline of conservation actions were also provided for several monuments, including the Royal Cemetery and the Parthian Palace;

• Moreover, closure of the Tigris River branch, adjacent to Sherqat Castle, is under consideration to allow for excavation of the archaeological areas believed to be a submerged Assyrian harbour. However, the State Party is concerned that this closure would also cause significant damage to the entire property during the flood season.

A joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission visited the property from 28 March to 1 April 2022. A copy of the mission report is also available at https://whc.unesco.org/​en/​list/​1130/documents

30.    General Decision on the World Heritage properties of Iraq

Current conservation issues

The conflict in Iraq, between 2014 and 2017, led to a massive humanitarian crisis and resulted in significant damage to Iraq’s cultural heritage through deliberate destruction, illegal excavation and looting, as well as collateral damage. Three of Iraq's World Heritage properties have suffered as a result of this conflict, namely Samarra Archaeological City, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) and Hatra. In addition, the archaeological sites of Nimrud and the Ancient City of Nineveh, which are on Iraq’s Tentative List, have also been greatly damaged through acts of deliberate destruction. In the Old City of Mosul, also included in the Tentative List since August 2018, significant sites, monuments and buildings were systematically targeted, including historical and religious heritage sites such as Al-Nouri Mosque and its iconic Al-Hadba Minaret.

On 31 January 2022, the State Party submitted state of conservation reports, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/45COM/documents/. Additional information was submitted on 4 and 6 March 2023. The reports provide information about the state of conservation of Samarra Archaeological City, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) and Hatra, the efforts undertaken by the State Party, including documentation and conservation projects carried out with the support and collaboration of the international community, and efforts to address the protection needs of each property.

The State Party reiterated its request for missions to be undertaken in order to conduct damage assessments and conservation work, and requests the support of the World Heritage Centre in the development of corrective measures for the eventual removal of the three properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Activities undertaken by UNESCO

• Since the extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee (Fuzhou/Online, 2021), UNESCO has pursued its actions towards the recovery of Iraq’s cultural heritage, most notably in Mosul;
• Within the framework of the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust project (USD 35,782), the World Heritage Centre, in collaboration with ICOMOS, has carried out several online workshops for strengthening capacities in state of conservation reporting on World Heritage properties, the preparation of retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), and the elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for removal of properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
• A joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat took place in March-April 2022. The report of the mission can be accessed at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1130/documents/, and the recommendations can also be found in Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A, and draft Decision 45 COM 7A.27;
• Two joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring missions were carried out to Hatra and Samarra Archaeological City in June 2023;
• Following the launch of the Initiative “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” in February 2018, UNESCO has pursued its actions towards the rehabilitation and recovery of the Old City of Mosul:
• Safeguarding cultural heritage in the Old City of Mosul has been carried out through two major projects: “Reviving the Spirit of Mosul by rebuilding its historic landmarks namely the Al-Nouri Mosque and its Al-Hadba Minaret, as well as the Al-Tahera Church and Al-Saa’a Church” funded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (USD 50.4 million for 2018-2023[1]), and a major project funded by the European Union (EU) (USD 38.5 million in two phases for 2019-2023) on “Reviving Mosul and Basra Old Cities”, which aims to rehabilitate the historic urban centres of these two major cities, while creating jobs and developing skills of young people in rehabilitation and urban infrastructure,
• In total, 15 UNESCO key partner countries and international organizations have contributed to the initiative, including the EU, Canada, Croatia, France (through ALIPH and Convention France-UNESCO), the Government of Flanders, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea (though KOICA), Lithuania, the Netherlands, Qatar (through EAA), Sweden (through SIDA), UAE as well as UNESCO’s Heritage Emergency Fund,
• At the Al-Nouri Mosque Complex and Al-Hadba Minaret, after an intensive phase of preparation, which included demining, documentation, stabilisation and design preparation, the active phase of the reconstruction of Al Hadba Minaret started in February 2022, with stabilization of the Minaret’s base,
• PHASE I has entailed the execution of complex consolidation and reintegration works on the remaining original bases, in addition to the construction of a scale 1:1 sample of the lost shaft, which is almost complete, starting with PHASE II, which consists of the execution of the new foundations with micro piles, as well as preparing for PHASE III (actual reconstruction of the lost shaft),
• The reconstruction of Al-Nouri Mosque, the design of which was selected through an international design competition, was given to a local contractor. The selection of the contractor for the execution of the reconstruction and rehabilitation works on the eastern sector of the Al Nouri Complex was successfully completed in June 2022. The works actively started in August 2022,
• Archaeological excavations were completed along the western side of the Al Nouri Prayer Hall, revealing important layers and structures belonging to the original Mosque, dating back to the 12th century. The excavations were led by the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, in close cooperation with UNESCO, and entailed the joint decision of integrating these important findings in the reconstruction of the destroyed Prayer Hall,
• The detailed design for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the eastern sector of the Al Nouri complex – including the integration of the recent archaeological discoveries on the western side of the Prayer Hall – was completed in May 2022. It was endorsed by the Joint Technical Committee, approved by the relevant authorities (notably, the Sunni Endowments, and Iraqi Ministry of Culture), and presented to the local community during a public event convened in Mosul, at the end of June 2022,
• With regard to the rehabilitation of the two churches, the rubble removal as well as securing the site has been completed for Al-Tahera Church as well as Al-Saa’a Church; damage assessment and technical documentation for restoration and rehabilitation of these two churches were carried out, and the reconstruction of both churches started in March 2022,
• As for the EU-funded project “Reviving Mosul and Basra Old Cities”, following engagement with all levels of concerned national and local government entities and relevant stakeholders, UNESCO is restoring and rebuilding 124 historic houses, including 7 historic houses in the Al-Nouri Mosque complex funded by the UAE. This intervention is global: reconstruction concerns walls, as well as upgrading of electrical network, septic tanks, drainage, road surfacing and public lighting. Before rebuilding, the neighbourhood had to be cleared. So far, 2,107 tons of rubble and 21 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) have been removed,
• The reconstruction of the first 43 heritage houses, under one package, was completed and handed over to their owners in August 2022. The rehabilitation and reconstruction of the additional 75 heritage houses started in September 2021, under a second package, out of which 53 houses have been completed, as of date, and handed over to their owners. The remaining houses, along with the public infrastructure and the neighbourhood alleyways will be completed in August 2023. An additional package of 4 houses were also completed in May 2023.  All these works are carried out using traditional techniques and materials, in order to preserve the identity of the old town,
• UNESCO is also rehabilitating two palatial houses. The rehabilitation of Suliman Al Sayegh House was successfully completed in April 2023. The first phase of the other palatial house, Zyada House, involving the rehabilitation of the superstructure, was completed in May 2023. The second phase of the same property (all exterior and limited interior finishings) will start immediately thereafter, with the goal of completing by the end of summer 2023, 
• As for Al-Aghawat Mosque in Mosul, the temporary stabilisation is finalised, the design has been prepared, and implementation of the necessary reconstruction of works awaits further funding,
• These projects related to the reconstruction of Mosul’s built heritage have been, and will be, creating immediate employment in Mosul as a relief measure in response to the unemployment caused by the COVID-19 outbreak,
• UNESCO launched a dedicated TVET and on-the-Job training programmes for adult women and men which associates general education, the study of technologies and related sciences, and the acquisition of practical skills (of which 18% were women). More than 1,550 qualified vocational students graduated as of date, exceeding the original target numbers. 93.3% of these graduates eventually joined in on-site apprenticeship programme, working and gaining skills in the rehabilitation of the heritage buildings,
• UNESCO has so far created more than 5,000 local jobs since the start of the Initiative. This is fundamental for building skills and enhancing social inclusion in Iraq at this critical time,
• Within the framework of the Mosul Initiative, UNESCO in partnership with ALIPH, and with generous financial support from the Government of France (USD 1,531,647), is rehabilitating a building known as the House of Prayer, which once housed the first school for girls in Iraq, as a multipurpose educational and cultural center for the local community. The House of Prayer is adjacent to, and part of, the Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour (Al-Saa'a Church) complex, belonging to the Dominican Order. The project aims at fostering social cohesion, resilience and livelihood through the rehabilitation of the city’s urban heritage and re-using the space for revitalizing cultural and educational life in the Old City,
• UNESCO through its Heritage Emergency fund (USD 48,000) has supported the urgent securing and temporary stabilization measures of the Corner House located within the perimeter of the Al Saa’a Church complex, which includes the Conventual Church, currently being rehabilitated by UNESCO through funds from the United Arab Emirates. The stabilization works started in October 2022 and were successfully completed on 31 December 2022,
• The project has also engaged in training activities targeting young professionals from Mosul in cooperation with ICCROM. The first cycle of the ICCROM training course for young local architects and engineers started in April 2022 and the first graduates received their diplomas on 26 January 2023, in a public event organized in the newly established UNESCO Community Information Center. The training programme is composed of two Tracks: Track 1 targeting young Iraqi architects and engineers (funded by UAE), and Track 2 targeting semi-skilled workers interested in traditional building crafts (funded by EU). The training under Track 2 has been completed. The selection of participants for the second cycle of Track 1 is completed and the course started in February 2023,
• Al Ekhlaas Primary School has been a fixture in the west side of the Old City of Mosul for nearly 60 years. In 2016, the students and their families saw their dreams of a promising future crumble under the weight of war and destruction. With the support of the European Union, UNESCO is rebuilding this facility as the first child-friendly school in Mosul. Students, parents and school administrators contributed their ideas for the design through a consultative process. Reconstruction work is now underway and should be completed by the end of 2023. When it reopens its doors, Al-Ekhlaas Primary School will be a space that provides a safe, clean, healthy, and protective environment for the children of Mosul,
• Also, with support from the Government of Flanders, in 2019, a publication was prepared on damage assessment of cultural and religious heritage affected by violent extremism during 2014 (Governorates of Ninawa, Kirkuk, Salah al-Din, Diyala and Anbar). With regard to the support for the restoration and documentation of the thousands of manuscripts dating from the 14th to the 19th centuries, in 2018, 2019 and 2022 UNESCO provided technical and financial assistance for the preservation of some of the most historically significant manuscripts and materials. The digitisation and conservation equipment was subsequently delivered and installed at the Digital Centre of Eastern Manuscripts in Erbil.
• From 19 to 26 September 2022, UNESCO funded the travel and accommodation costs related to the organization of the training on “Parchments Restoration Technics” by two experts from the Matenaderan Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscript in Armenia at the Digital Centre, to monitor parchment manuscripts in the Centre and practical works on the sample of selected parchment papers. It also included a theoretical part on the use of chemical substances in restoration works and a discussion on the centre’s needs and potential future training preparation,
• The spirit of Mosul is also the living heritage of communities and a vibrant cultural life, from traditional music festival to the street booksellers. UNESCO and its partners have engaged in a comprehensive plan to restore cultural life and cultural institutions. Cinema, Music, and Art are at the heart ️of UNESCO’s work in Mosul. To support the revival of traditional music in Mosul, UNESCO launched the "Listening to Iraq" programme. It provided training to 24 musicians from different communities of Mosul, leading to the creation of four ensembles who benefitted from grants for music touring in Iraq,
• In partnership with the Theatre of Ghent in Belgium, UNESCO provided 20 students from the Institute of Fine Arts of Mosul training and hands-on experience in each of the different roles that define the fundamental aspects of a cinema production: director, screenwriter, editor, actor, set and costume design, audio and light technician and production assistant. The training led to the production of 9 short movies produced by the students as well as the establishment of a “Film Lab” in the Institute of Fine Arts of Mosul in April 2022, becoming a possible platform for future learning experiences in the cinema field within the city of Mosul.
• UNESCO officially opened in November 2022 a Community Information Center in the Old City, which will serve as a center to organize events, including cultural activities and education programs for the community.

Activities undertaken by the Advisory Bodies

• ICOMOS has actively contributed to online workshops for strengthening capacities in state of conservation reporting for properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, the preparation of retrospective Statements of OUV and the elaboration of the DSOCR;
• ICOMOS participated in the joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat) in March-April 2022, as well as to Samarra Archaeological City and Hatra in June 2023.

[1] The implementation period for the project “The restoration and critical reconstruction of the AI-Nouri Mosque and its AI-Hadba Minaret as a tool to foster social cohesion and community reconciliation” has been extended by 10 months to 4 July 2024.

The information provided by the State Party concerning the cessation of Makhool Dam is reassuring, given that upon inscription of the property on the World Heritage List, this project was considered as a major threat to the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), justifying its concurrent inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2003. The Committee’s previous decisions requested relocation or cancellation of the project.

During the 2022 joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property, the State Party stressed its intention to explore the execution of mitigation measures to ensure protection of the property and other archaeological sites from flooding. However, on the basis of the limited technical and topographic documentation on the environmental impact of the dam, and on the level of water in the future reservoir, it was not possible to define precisely to what degree the property will be impacted or whether and how it might be protected. Further specific studies would have been necessary to map and assess comprehensively the impact of the dam and to allow consideration of the viability of possible designed measures in ensuring the effective protection of the property’s OUV and all its attributes.

Beyond the construction of a structure to protect the site from flooding (e.g., retaining walls, embankments, dikes, etc.), it is to be recalled that the property is very fragile, primarily having earthen constructions. The property has been suffering from water seepage and environmental degradation for some time, which has been accelerating its deterioration. Hence, in addition to the threat of flooding in the event of the dam’s construction, the mission considered that several other threats should be taken into consideration when assessing the effectiveness of protective measures, including the potential increase in water seepage, salt infiltration, the creation of a new micro-climate, and the potential impact of any new large constructions on the property’s OUV. Accordingly, a number of additional in-depth technical studies were identified by the mission as necessary urgent actions to be undertaken.

In terms of the current state of conservation of the property, the State Party has begun to address remedial and repair work to mitigate the impact of threats, including those resulting from weathering and water damage.

The 2022 mission recommended a number of necessary actions, including the preparation of an overall comprehensive conservation plan for the property in full consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, carrying out regular maintenance activities, submitting a detailed report on all planned and ongoing interventions carried out and their priority while noting that all interventions must be integrated into the comprehensive conservation plan for the property, undertaking a number of protection measures at the property, as well as the elaboration of a management system and preparation of a Management Plan. As previously recommended, only urgent stabilisation work should be undertaken in cases where collapse or further damage is imminent, and according to the principle of minimal intervention.

The State Party has been regularly consulting with the world Heritage Centre, particularly with regard to the rehabilitation project for the Walter Andrae Palace, which was reviewed by ICOMOS. It is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to pursue consultations with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, and to continue to inform on any future plans for major restoration or new construction which may affect the OUV of the property, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, before making any decisions which would be difficult to reverse.

The World Heritage Centre, in collaboration with ICOMOS, has supported the State Party in the elaboration of the retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (RSOUV), through an online technical workshop funded by the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust project to strengthen capacities of properties in Iraq inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

With the cessation of the Makhool Dam project, and in light of the outcomes of the 2022 mission, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to initiate the elaboration the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and the necessary corrective measures, in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies.

30.    General Decision on the World Heritage properties of Iraq

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

The conflict situation in Iraq, between 2014 and 2017, has directly affected its three properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and some of its Tentative List sites to varying degrees. In addition, illegal excavations and looting of archaeological sites have caused extensive loss and irreversible damage – although the restitution of the country’s cultural property has been gaining momentum in recent years, notably including the ‘Gilgamesh Tablet’ that was handed back to Iraq in September 2021.

With the liberation of substantial parts of the country in 2017, Iraq has faced the challenges of recovery while addressing the unprecedented humanitarian crisis. This was particularly evident at the Old City of Mosul, where UNESCO is currently engaged within the framework of its flagship initiative “Revive the Spirit of Mosul”.

The State Party has provided updated information about the state of conservation of Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat), Samarra Archaeological City and Hatra, and outlined its efforts in ensuring the protection and conservation of these properties, including the identification of some urgently needed stabilisation work. On the other hand, detailed assessments have not been provided, which are necessary to scope the required repair and restoration work and to inform the preparation of comprehensive conservation plans and the elaboration of the DSOCR for these properties. In addition, remedial and repair work should be guided by comprehensive conservation plans prepared in full consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, which should comprise an evaluation of all potential risks, including those related to natural deterioration, potential flooding and encroachment, among others. 

It is therefore recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to submit detailed documentation and condition assessment at World Heritage properties, and to undertake protection and urgent stabilization work only in cases where collapse or further damage is imminent, according to the principle of minimal intervention. The required information includes systematic photographic surveys, drawings, graphics, quantitative data and identification of potential risks.

It is also recommended that the Committee remind the State Party to advise, through the World Heritage Centre, about any future plans for major restoration or new construction, or other projects that may affect the OUV of World Heritage properties, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse.

Finally, it is recommended that the Committee reiterate its appeal to States Parties to cooperate in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property coming from Iraq and to contribute towards the safeguarding of its cultural heritage.