LBCI

Islamic State militants raze Iraq's ancient Hatra city - government

World News

07-03-2015 | 08:51

Share

Share

Islamic State militants raze Iraq's ancient Hatra city - government

2^min

Islamic State militants have destroyed ancient remains of the 2,000-year-old city of Hatra in northern Iraq, the tourism and antiquities ministry said on Saturday.

An official told Reuters that the ministry had received reports from its employees in the northern city of Mosul, which is under the control of the radical Islamist group, that the site at Hatra had been demolished on Saturday.

The official said it was difficult to confirm the reports and the ministry had not received any pictures showing the extent of the damage.

But a resident in the area told Reuters he heard a powerful explosion early on Saturday and said that other people nearby had reported that Islamic State militants had destroyed some of the larger buildings in Hatra and were bulldozing other parts.

Hatra lies about 110 km (70 miles) south of Mosul, the largest city under Islamic State control. A week ago the militants released a video showing them smashing statues and carvings in the city's museum, home to priceless Assyrian and Hellenistic artefacts dating back 3,000 years.

On Thursday they attacked the remains of the Assyrian city of Nimrud, south of Mosul, with bulldozers. The United Nations cultural agency UNESCO condemned the actions as "cultural cleansing" and said they amounted to war crimes.

Hatra dates back 2,000 years to the Seleucid empire which controlled a large part of the ancient world conquered by Alexander the Great. It is famous for its striking pillared temple at the centre of a sprawling archaeological site.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Lebanese man killed after opening fire on Israelis in US in revenge for brothers’ deaths

2026-03-12

Lebanese man killed after opening fire on Israelis in US in revenge for brothers’ deaths

Lebanon Cabinet approves transfer of convicted Syrians to Syria

2026-01-30

Lebanon Cabinet approves transfer of convicted Syrians to Syria

Israel's operation against Iran was coordinated with US, Israeli official says

Middle East News

2026-02-28

Israel's operation against Iran was coordinated with US, Israeli official says

Hezbollah says targeted Israeli troops in north Israel

Middle East News

2026-05-14

Hezbollah says targeted Israeli troops in north Israel

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Ali al-Taher escalation: Israel weighs airstrikes and ground operations

1

Ali al-Taher escalation: Israel weighs airstrikes and ground operations

Hezbollah on US claims of Iranian control: No one can question our Lebanese identity

2

Hezbollah on US claims of Iranian control: No one can question our Lebanese identity

Israel PM calls Turkey's Erdogan 'antisemitic dictator'

3

Israel PM calls Turkey's Erdogan 'antisemitic dictator'

US Embassy welcomes Lebanon’s updated Media Law, urges further reforms

4

US Embassy welcomes Lebanon’s updated Media Law, urges further reforms

Turkey issues arrest warrant for Israel's Netanyahu

5

Turkey issues arrest warrant for Israel's Netanyahu

Beirut Airport urges travelers to arrive at least three hours before flights

6

Beirut Airport urges travelers to arrive at least three hours before flights

NATO members discuss Strait of Hormuz options without alliance involvement

7

NATO members discuss Strait of Hormuz options without alliance involvement

Zelensky slams 'cynical' Russian attack on shopping centre

8

Zelensky slams 'cynical' Russian attack on shopping centre

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More