The Destroyed Archaeological Site of Ayn Dara in Afrin

Exclusive Report from the Ground

Destruction and plundering of Syria’s archaeological heritage during the war have most popularly been associated with the Islamic State and its intentional demolition of archaeological sites in Palmyra perceived as ‘idolatrous’ as well as the familiar talking point about antiquities smuggling having served as a source of revenue for the group. But in fact, most parties in Syria’s civil war have been guilty of damaging and looting at least some of Syria’s archaeological heritage. The site of Ayn Dara, located to the south of Afrin town, is a case-in-point involving Turkey and the Turkish-backed armed groups of the ‘Syrian National Army’ (SNA), which seized the area from the Kurdish-led YPG in 2018.