Shrines Devastated As Militants Target Iraq's Ancient Heritage

Iraq's archaeological heritage is being systematically destroyed by militant attacks, the head of the country's antiquities board warned yesterday.

A new phenomenon of holy shrines being targeted has emerged over the last year, Abbas al-Hussainy told a meeting at the British Museum. At least 18, dating from the ninth or 10th century, have been hit by devastating bomb blasts since last February's attack, claimed by al-Qaida, on the Shia shrine in Samarra, and it is feared more have been struck.

In the provinces of Diyala and Kirkuk 10 shrines have been hit in the last two weeks, Dr Abbas said. Other archaeological sites are suffering from neglect.

Dr Abbas was in the UK to draw up a plan outlining how the international community can help the state board of antiquities carry out its work in the face of violence.

Showing pictures of shrines full of rubble, he called on foreign governments to fund scholarships and training for his team working on rescue operations at bombed sites and conserving damaged antiquities, many of whom lack qualifications.

He said he had recently been prevented by soldiers at an American checkpoint from visiting the ancient ziggurat at Ur, where he had been due to meet the keeper of the British Museum's Middle East department, John Curtis, for a site inspection.

Dr Curtis said: "What is happening to the shrines is quite horrendous. It's just gratituitous damage."

Dr Abbas said the problem of looting of archaeological sites appeared to have levelled off, but continued in some areas.

After the fall of Baghdad in 2003 some 15,000 items were looted from the city's National Museum, and around 8,000 are still missing. The threat of insurgent attacks and further plundering means the museum remains closed.