New book explores war damage in
Aleppo
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| Damaged building in western Aleppo.- AFP |
The first book to examine the effects of the Syrian civil
war upon the ancient city of Aleppo has been published.
By John Waters
For 4 years the Syrian city of Aleppo was at the centre of a
drawn out battle between government forces and rebel fighters such as the Free
Syrian Army and the YPG militia. The city, a UNESCO world heritage site,
sustained heavy damage and was largely cut off from basic food and medical
supplies. Now, two years after government troops drove rebel fighters out of
the city, the first book detailing the damage done to the Ancient city has been
published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO). The Syrian civil war broke out in 2011 and continues to
this day. The battle of Aleppo took place from 2012-16.
Entitled “Five Years of Conflict: The State of Cultural
Heritage in the Ancient City of Aleppo,” the book provides a detailed analysis
of the damage sustained to various parts of the city, including many of its
oldest buildings. In total, 518 properties have been assessed, including the
old citadel and the grand mosque, which date back to the 2nd century BC.
Initial assessment was done through analyzing satellite
imagery, before historians and archeologists were able to visit the sites in
order to make closer examination. A timeline of the battle of Aleppo is also
provided, as well as a brief history of the city itself. The first recorded
settlements in Aleppo date back to 5000 BC. Over the centuries the city has
been part of Alexander the Great’s empire as well as the Roman province and the
Persian territories. The city has witnessed the rise of both Christianity and
Islam. It was also once the capital of the State of Aleppo before becoming part
of modern day Syria.
According to UNESCO director Audrey Azoulay, who wrote one
the forwards in the book, Aleppo was one of 6 Syrian heritage sites added to
UNESCO’s list of World Heritage in Danger. She notes, as the book goes on to
detail, that Aleppo “Was once recognized as a best practice example in the
field of urban conservation. Today it lies largely in ruins, with its
invaluable centuries old landmarks and cultural manifestations severely damaged
or destroyed.”
The properties listed in the book include museums,
marketplaces, places of worship and other historic buildings. The book
concludes with an appeal to restore the cultural heritage of Aleppo “As part of
the process of healing communities in the wake of a crisis.”
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