After a genocidal policy where the group took actual pride in killing villagers, to the point that they made propaganda videos documenting these tragedies, they recently burned the library at Mosul, as well as some other sites of historical value. Militants were filmed destroying priceless, historical statues at the Mosul museum only a couple of weeks ago.
Now, they are at it again. It is like they are trying to do as much damage while they have the time and opportunity to do it, as they appear to be on their way out already.
Just a few days ago, Islamic extremists in ISIS went ahead and destroyed Nimrud, a historical site dating back to the Assyrian era.
Nimrud was considered one of the truly great archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. It is roughly 30 kilometers outside of Mosul.
Some of the now famous "Lamassu" statues that feature winged bulls with human heads can be found in world class museums around the world, including Baghdad, Paris, and London, to name just a few.
These are all part of what has been referred to as the "treasure of Nimrud", which was discovered in 1988, and some regarded as the most significant archaeological find since King Tutamkhamun's tomb was discovered in Egypt in the 1920's.
The tragic story is that one of greatest sites from Messopotamian era is now basically destroyed.
The story does not simply end there, however. This is just the most recent act in what some are already calling "cultural genocide", and "cultural cleansing". After all, the Islamic State's list of crimes is already extensive, and apparently still growing. They already are responsible for mass killings of unarmed civilians, as well as oppression of minorities. They have forced women into forced marriages with members of ISIS, and have forced some women into sexual slavery. More generally, they have relied on a violently antagonistic approach to anything and anyone that is not ISIS, and does not believe as they believe. The destruction of cultural treasures in Mosul and, now, Nimrud, is just the latest confirmation of the militant stupidity, boastfulnes, and intolerance that ISIS has a well-earned reputation for.
For all of these crimes, ISIS will be held accountable, and that now includes the physical destruction of cultural treasures in Mosul and Nimrud.
The Director of the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Irina Bokova, had this to say in response to reports of ISIS destroying Nimrud:
“I condemn in the strongest possible manner the destruction of the archaeological site of Nimrud site in Iraq. This is yet another attack against the Iraqi people, reminding us that nothing is safe from the cultural cleansing underway in the country: It targets human lives, minorities, and is marked by the systematic destruction of humanity’s ancient heritage. We cannot remain silent. The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage constitutes a war crime. I call on all political and religious leaders in the region to stand up and remind everyone that there is absolutely no political or religious justification for the destruction of humanity’s cultural heritage.”
So, this is more than just some tragedy. This rightly will be recognized as a war crime, and the people responsible will be held accountable (hopefully, anyway).
The rise of ISIS still remains largely shrouded in mystery, although the fall of ISIS appears well underway already. Of course, it is not helping it's own cause by taking a swaggering, overconfident approach about all of the crimes caused by the imbecilic intolerance of it's followers and fighters. Let them fall, one way or another, and let them then be held responsible for their crimes. Let the whole world see this, as a lesson to all of the future Islamic fundamentalists that seem ready to take over in so many other parts of the world, from southeast Asia through much of the rest of southern Asia, the Middle East, and Africa (including Boko Haram, who are responsible for similar actions in Nigeria, so that they may know what ultimately awaits them after they have had their fun and the party is over, and it is time to pay the bill.
ISIS bulldozes ruins of ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud, Iraqi ministry says By Michael Martinez and Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN Updated 5:06 PM ET, Fri March 6, 2015
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/world/iraq-isis-destroys-ancient-city-nimrud/index.html
Nimrud, the jewel of the Assyrian era by AFP, March 5, 2015:
UN Official: ISIS Destruction of Ancient City of Nimrud, Artifacts a ‘War Crime’ Mar 6, 2015, 12:46 PM ET By LEE FERRAN and JON WILLIAMS
CULTURAL GENOCIDE: ISIS bulldozes ruins of ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud
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