Looting, vandalism reported at ancient artifact warehouse in Syria’s Afrin
AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – North Press obtained on Saturday images and video footage documenting the vandalism and looting of a historical artifact warehouse at the Ain Dara archaeological mound, located near Afrin in northwestern Syria.
The site, situated approximately 3 kilometers south of Afrin city, housed thousands of archaeological artifacts uncovered over the years by excavation missions across the Afrin region.
Adjacent to the warehouse stood the Directorate of Antiquities, which included several administrative offices. The Turkish-backed faction Ahrar al-Sham had previously seized and repurposed the facility, converting it into a military base and training camp for its fighters.
In recent days, Ahrar al-Sham forces withdrew from the area, but not before reportedly ransacking the offices, looting the warehouse door, and smashing many of the stored artifacts.
North Press had previously reported on unauthorized excavation activities near other archaeological mounds in Afrin.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has accused Turkish-backed groups of systematically targeting the region’s cultural heritage and archaeological sites since taking control of Afrin.