CONSIDERING that the zealots of the self-styled Islamic State feel no compunction about putting men, women and children to the sword, it would be naive to assume that the militants would have second thoughts about pulverising historical artefacts.

In fact, as recent events illustrate, the IS hordes are actually celebrating their vandalism targeting Iraq’s cultural and historical treasures and its houses of learning.

In one video that surfaced recently, bearing the outfit’s insignia, men can be seen rampaging through what appears to be a museum; reports indicate the facility is located in Mosul, the Iraqi city that was overrun by IS in June 2014.

The modern-day vandals are seen toppling statues and smashing artefacts to dust. In a related incident, IS is believed to have torched Mosul’s main library resulting in thousands of books and manuscripts going up in flames.

Iraq’s ancient treasures have been under assault from looters ever since the 2003 US invasion. But with the rise of IS the war on culture and history has gained alarming pace.

This is not the first time that IS militants have ransacked libraries or houses of learning. One report indicates classrooms in Mosul colleges have been transformed into dormitories for fighters.

The obscurantists have also demolished or desecrated revered mosques, shrines and tombs in both Iraq and Syria.

Fuelling such actions is a mixture of religious fanaticism, ignorance and a desire to show the world what the militants are capable of.

The Unesco chief has described these incidents as “cultural cleansing” and called for an emergency meeting to discuss Iraq’s heritage.

The threat is indeed considerable as hundreds of archaeological sites in Iraq now lie within IS-controlled territory. But whether it is protecting the people of Iraq and Syria or saving the heritage of these ancient civilisations, the key lies in permanently neutralising IS.

And for that to happen, regional states and the international community need to support and coordinate efforts with the governments in Baghdad and Damascus against the extremists.

Published in Dawn March 2nd , 2015

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