Ancient Carvings Discovered at Iconic Mosul Monument Bulldozed by ISIS

An Iraqi worker excavates a carving at the Mashki Gate, one of the monumental gates to the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh. AFP
An Iraqi worker excavates a carving at the Mashki Gate, one of the monumental gates to the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh. AFP
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Ancient Carvings Discovered at Iconic Mosul Monument Bulldozed by ISIS

An Iraqi worker excavates a carving at the Mashki Gate, one of the monumental gates to the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh. AFP
An Iraqi worker excavates a carving at the Mashki Gate, one of the monumental gates to the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh. AFP

When ISIS bulldozed the ancient monumental Mashki gate in the Iraqi city of Mosul in 2016, it was part of the extremists' systematic destruction of cultural heritage.

Now, US and Iraqi archaeologists working to reconstruct the site have unearthed extraordinary 2,700-year-old rock carvings among the ruins, AFP reported.

They include eight finely made marble bas-relief carvings depicting war scenes from the rule of the Assyrian kings in the ancient city of Nineveh, a local Iraqi official said Wednesday.

Discovered last week, the detailed carvings show a soldier drawing back a bow in preparation to fire an arrow, as well as finely chiseled vine leaves and palms.

The grey stone carvings date to the rule of King Sennacherib, in power from 705-681 BC, according to a statement from the Iraqi Council of Antiquities and Heritage.

Sennacherib was responsible for expanding Nineveh as the Assyrians' imperial capital and largest city -- siting on a major crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Iranian plateau -- including constructing a magnificent palace.

Fadel Mohammed Khodr, head of the Iraqi archaeological team working to restore the site, said the carvings were likely taken from Sennacherib's palace and used as construction material for the gate.

"We believe that these carvings were moved from the palace of Sennacherib and reused by the grandson of the king, to renovate the gate of Mashki and to enlarge the guard room", Khodr said.

When they were used in the gate, the area of the carvings poking out above ground was erased.

"Only the part buried underground has retained its carvings," Khodr added.

ALIPH, the Swiss-based International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, said the Mashki gate had been an "exceptional building".

ISIS targeted the fortified gate, which had been restored in the 1970s, because it was an "iconic part of Mosul's skyline, a symbol of the city's long history", it added.

ALIPH is supporting the reconstruction of the Mashki Gate by a team of archaeologists from Iraq's Mosul University alongside US experts from the University of Pennsylvania.

The restoration project, which is being carried out in collaboration with Iraqi antiquities authorities, aims to turn the damaged monument into an educational center on Nineveh's history.



Ministry of Interior Launches 'Ezz AlWatan' Event in Celebration of Saudi National Day

Saudi Arabia marks National Day on September 23. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia marks National Day on September 23. (SPA)
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Ministry of Interior Launches 'Ezz AlWatan' Event in Celebration of Saudi National Day

Saudi Arabia marks National Day on September 23. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia marks National Day on September 23. (SPA)

The "Ezz AlWatan" events kicked off on Monday in Riyadh to mark the Kingdom’s 95th National Day.

The event is organized by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA).

Running until Tuesday, the program features a creative, dramatic, and military performance simulating security operations and showcasing advanced tactics and skills.

The event also boasts an exhibition highlighting the ministry's efforts, its security system, and the development of its services.


French Zoo Returns Poorly Panda and Partner to China

Huan Huan ("happy") and Yuan Zi ("chubby"), two Chinese pandas are seen in their enclosure at Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan central-western France, on January 17, 2012. (AFP)
Huan Huan ("happy") and Yuan Zi ("chubby"), two Chinese pandas are seen in their enclosure at Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan central-western France, on January 17, 2012. (AFP)
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French Zoo Returns Poorly Panda and Partner to China

Huan Huan ("happy") and Yuan Zi ("chubby"), two Chinese pandas are seen in their enclosure at Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan central-western France, on January 17, 2012. (AFP)
Huan Huan ("happy") and Yuan Zi ("chubby"), two Chinese pandas are seen in their enclosure at Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan central-western France, on January 17, 2012. (AFP)

Two pandas at a zoo in central France will return to China in November after the female was diagnosed with kidney failure, the park's director told AFP on Monday.

Huan Huan and her partner Yuan Zi arrived at the Beauval Zoo in 2012 as part of China's "panda diplomacy" program, which sees the black-and-white bears dispatched across the globe as soft-power ambassadors.

The two pandas, both 17, had been due to stay in France until January 2027 but they will return to the Chengdu panda sanctuary, said zoo director Rodolphe Delord, adding that the zoo had been in touch with the Chinese authorities.

"The female has kidney failure, a chronic disease common in ageing carnivores. We therefore prefer to transport her to China before her condition worsens," he told AFP, adding she still showed a good appetite and normal behavior.

Delord said Huan Huan and Yuan Zi were expected to return to China in November 2025 "so they can live out their retirement in peace".

The pair produced three cubs while in France -- the first pandas to do so in the country -- and became star attractions at the Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher.

The eldest of the offspring, Yuan Meng, left France in 2024, while twins born in 2021 are expected to remain at the Beauval zoo for the time being "to raise visitors' awareness of the need to protect this iconic species", Delord said.

The giant panda was downgraded last year from "endangered" to "vulnerable" on the global list of at-risk species.

Delord said he hoped to extend the zoo's partnership with China beyond 2027.

"And perhaps bring more pandas in the future," he added.

The Beauval Zoo welcomed some two million visitors in 2023, generating revenues of around 113 million euros ($133 million).


Makkah's Parks, Gardens Transformed for National Day Celebrations

Efforts are being exerted to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment for Saudi National Day- SPA
Efforts are being exerted to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment for Saudi National Day- SPA
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Makkah's Parks, Gardens Transformed for National Day Celebrations

Efforts are being exerted to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment for Saudi National Day- SPA
Efforts are being exerted to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment for Saudi National Day- SPA

Holy Makkah Municipality announced the completion of preparations across public parks and gardens in Makkah to receive residents and visitors during the 95th National Day celebrations.

According to SPA, technical teams have been formed to carry out maintenance and inspections of facilities, playgrounds, and rides to ensure they are fully ready to welcome guests.

The municipality emphasized its commitment to providing high-quality services for the residents and visitors by overseeing the readiness of public spaces and presenting them in a manner that reflects the city’s distinguished image.

The efforts aim to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment.

Preparations included equipping seating areas, restrooms, and other amenities, in addition to providing expansive green spaces for leisure and recreation.

Makkah is home to more than 290 public parks of various sizes, offering a wide range of children’s playgrounds, as well as over 11 walkways with a total length of 16,410 meters.

The city also features football, volleyball, and tennis courts, in addition to public squares, shaded seating areas, fountains, walking tracks, and sports equipment for both children and adults.