Syrian and Iraqi Opinion on Protecting, Promoting and Reconstructing Heritage after the Islamic State

Abstract After conquering large swathes of Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State (ISIS) undertook an aggressive iconoclastic campaign in which they damaged or destroyed several significant heritage sites. In response, the international community has launched several initiatives along three key axes: to protect heritage in times of conflict; to conduct education and awareness raising initiatives; and to reconstruct heritage sites damaged or destroyed by ISIS or in the broader conflict. This chapter critically reflects on these three sets of initiatives, drawing on fifty-three in-depth semi-structured interviews with Syrian and Iraqi men and women. Although the respondents were often supportive of these internationally backed heritage initiatives, they offered several criticisms and suggestions that could ultimately lead to greater success on the ground. The chapter concludes by noting that heritage initiatives in complex (post-)conflict environments such as Syria and Iraq, require ongoing, nuanced, and careful engagement with local populations to succeed. Failing to listen to and heed these opinions ultimately undermines the broader mission to foster stability and promote peace, and can fuel the propaganda machinery of Islamist groups.