The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Vandalism | Turkish-backed factions continue excavations and sabotaging religious shrines, searching for antiques

Archaeological excavations, acts of vandalism and destruction of religious shrines continue in search of antiques in Afrin, which is under the control of Turkish-backed factions.

In the meantime, excavations and sabotage took place at the “Sheikh Hamid” shrine in the village of Qastal Jando in Sharan district in Afrin countryside, while residents accused members of Turkish-backed factions of such excavations, and with facilities provided by Turkish intelligence.

The shrine of “Sheikh Hamid” is a holy place for Yazidi Kurds and is also frequented by the region’s Muslims, and a historical monument of the Afrin region.

On April 15, reliable sources informed the Syrian Observatory that militants of “Sultan Suleiman Shah” faction, known as “Al-Amshat”, have begun excavations in search for antiquities on the archaeological hill of Arnada, in the area of “Al-Sheikh Hadid” in western countryside of Afrin.

According to Syrian Observatory sources, excavations on the hill are taking place almost daily with heavy digging equipment in search of antiquities by Turkish-backed “Sultan Suleiman Shah” faction’s members.

Excavations and ongoing random searches for antiquities have caused damage and massive destruction to the hill.