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Museum director warns of Syrian cultural losses

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Museum director warns of Syrian cultural losses
Photo: DPA

Syria’s cultural heritage is seriously under threat from plundering and damage resulting from the current conflict, according to the director of the Berlin Museum of Islamic Art.

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Syria’s rich cultural heritage, which Germany has been heavily involved in researching and restoring, is under serious threat from the war, said Stefan Weber, director of the Berlin Museum of Islamic Art speaking on the Deutschlandradio radio station on Friday.

“Of course we’re not just scared for the people, but also for these fantastic cultural treasures, which will not be spared in this war,” he said.

Cultural treasures particularly in Aleppo, which on Sunday was the site of fierce fighting - with reports of rocket launchers, helicopters and fighter jets being deployed by the Syrian regime against its opponents - are in danger of being lost forever.

There are already many reports of plundering from the open archaeological sites dating back up to 3,000 years. “Digging is going on there and then the things are smuggled over the border,” said Weber.

DAPD/jlb

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