The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that military groups of the Turkish-backed factions returned excavation work in the surrounding areas of the “Roman amphitheater” near the Nabi Huri fortress in Shera district in Afrin countryside, north-west Aleppo.
According to SOHR sources, Turkish-backed militiamen have used heavy diggers and earth-moving machineries for digging and excavating the surrounding areas of the “Roman amphitheater”, searching for antiques and artifacts. The observatory noted that such operations are carried out in full view of the Turkish forces.
The area of Nabi Huri has experienced repeated excavation work by all Turkish-backed factions, searching for buried artifacts and antiquities.
On November 11, 2019, SOHR documented systematic looting of Afrin’s antiquities, as Turkish-backed factions allowed excavators in the city to dig for relics and antiques in return for large sums of money. SOHR also reported that antiquities and artifacts were stolen from the archaeological site of Nabi Huri known as “Hagioupolis” or “Khoros” (Cyrrhus) which dates back to 280 B.C. (Hellenistic era). Moreover, the excavators used earth-moving machineries and heavy-duty diggers for excavating and advanced technological devices to locate artifacts. “The excavators found mosaics smuggled later to Turkey, via dealers, with the help of forces and factions controlling that region,” SOHR added.