Latest news with #Al-Attar
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Shafaq News
Babil skeletons unearth legal and historical firestorm
Shafaq News/ A seemingly routine excavation in the Nile subdistrict of Babil Province has escalated into a matter of national scrutiny, after the unearthing of five unidentified human skeletons. Uncovering the Facts: What Was Found? According to Babil MP Amir Al-Mamouri, the remains of four individuals were unearthed during a dig at Tell Jaryan in the Nile subdistrict. Instead of alerting security or judicial authorities, excavation workers reportedly collected the bones in plastic bags and removed them from the site without authorization. A fifth set of remains was subsequently found during a joint site inspection. 'The initial remains were placed outside the archaeological zone without notifying the relevant authorities,' Al-Mamouri told Shafaq News, condemning the act as 'illegal and unacceptable.' Al-Mamouri emphasized that early statements from excavation workers suggested the bones were not ancient, with estimated ages ranging between 40–60 years. The remains were reportedly buried above the stratigraphic layer of the archaeological artifacts, implying a more recent origin. Archaeological Significance Vs. Ethical Complexity Babil is no stranger to historical revelations. Once home to the mighty city of Babylon, the province holds a central place in Mesopotamian civilization, with layers of history embedded across its lands. Tell Jaryan itself is among many sites scattered in the region that contribute to the understanding of Iraq's ancient past. Yet, the latest discovery deviates from traditional archaeological narratives, exposing a critical gap in coordination between excavators and oversight bodies. Raed Hamed, Director of Babil Antiquities, confirmed the remains were encountered as the excavation team wrapped up its field season. 'Finding skeletal remains during excavations is not unusual in Iraq,' he said. 'But we cannot determine their age without proper laboratory analysis unless a cuneiform inscription or identifiable artifact accompanies them.' Hamed justified the temporary burial of the bones, stating it was intended to preserve the remains from environmental degradation while awaiting legal approval for transport to Baghdad. 'Transporting human remains without official paperwork can expose teams to legal repercussions,' he explained. Legal Gaps and Human Rights Concerns Despite archaeological norms, the handling of the remains raised red flags among human rights monitors and legal experts. Ahmed Al-Attar, Director of the Human Rights Commission in Babil, visited the site alongside law enforcement, forensic experts, and MP Al-Mamouri. 'There is no indication this is a mass grave,' Al-Attar said, clarifying that under Iraqi law, a mass grave must contain at least two bodies buried together. 'Each skeleton was buried separately. However, the lack of official oversight during their recovery is a serious breach.' Al-Attar indicated that the site's excavation should be halted temporarily, pending a formal investigation. 'We've requested the Martyrs Foundation to suspend activity at the site. A committee headed by a judge and including the public prosecutor, the Human Rights Commission, and relevant agencies will inspect the location to determine the context of the remains,' he told Shafaq News. Should the findings suggest a mass grave, Iraq's Directorate for the Protection of Mass Graves would deploy a forensic team to excavate the site systematically. Otherwise, the remains will be reinterred in a designated cemetery after securing judicial clearance. A Heritage Site Under Private Investment Further complicating matters is the site's legal status. MP Al-Mamouri revealed that Tell Jaryan, while classified as an archaeological mound, has been granted to a private investor. This arrangement allows for land ownership to transfer to the investor after excavation, with discovered antiquities handed over to the state. This hybrid model—where heritage sites become economically utilized land—raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight and the potential for heritage mismanagement. While technically legal, critics argue that this model prioritizes commercial value over historical and ethical stewardship. Recent Discoveries and Their Broader Implications The discovery of the unidentified skeletons stands in stark contrast to other recent archaeological developments in Babil. Over the past year, teams working under the supervision of Iraq's State Board of Antiquities and Heritage have unearthed a range of relics—including a Babylonian cuneiform tablet in the Qasr area and ancient urban structures in the Borsippa district. These discoveries have bolstered calls for a comprehensive preservation strategy, amid fears that Iraq's archaeological wealth could be further compromised by conflict, looting, or administrative neglect. The remains now await forensic testing in Baghdad, while authorities debate whether the site should be classified as a crime scene or preserved as an archaeological landmark. For now, the Nile subdistrict remains the focus of both legal scrutiny and historical intrigue.
Arab Times
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti referee Ashwaq Al-Attar takes part in the World Para Weightlifting Championship
TBILISI May 7: Kuwaiti referee Ashwaq Al-Attar is officiating at the World Para Weightlifting Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia, which began yesterday and runs until May 14. Al-Attar's participation comes at the invitation of the International Weightlifting Federation. With extensive experience in Gulf, Arab, and Asian championships, Al-Attar has also officiated at notable events such as the African Open Championship in Cairo, the Fazza International Championship in Dubai, and the Saudi Arabian Championship in Riyadh.
Jordan News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
20 Martyrs in Israeli Airstrikes on Northern Gaza - Jordan News
20 Martyrs in Israeli Airstrikes on Northern Gaza Twenty Palestinians were martyred and dozens injured as a result of a series of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Monday. اضافة اعلان According to Palestinian sources, 15 people were killed and 10 others injured when Israeli warplanes bombed three residential apartments in the Al-Rumuz Tower in the Al-Karama area, northern Gaza. Additionally, four people were killed and others injured in an Israeli strike on a house belonging to the Al-Attar family in the Al-Salatin area, also in northern Gaza. Another Palestinian was killed and several others injured in an Israeli attack near Hamouda Roundabout in northern Gaza.
Days of Palestine
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Israeli warplanes hit residential areas in Gaza, killing at least 19 civilians
DaysofPal- Israeli warplanes killed at least 19 Palestinian civilians in a series of devastating airstrikes that were launched across the Gaza Strip early on Monday morning. The bombardment, which targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure, left many more wounded and contributed to the growing humanitarian disaster in the region. According to the Palestinian Civil Defense, emergency crews recovered 15 bodies. They rescued 10 injured individuals after Israeli airstrikes struck three residential apartments in the Ramouz residential building, located in the Al-Karama neighborhood, northwest of Gaza City. Along with these deaths, Israeli warplanes also killed four residents and injured five others when they targeted the Al-Attar family's home in the Al-Sultan neighborhood. Further north, an Israeli drone strike killed one person and injured several others when it targeted a group of civilians near Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip. The assault continued as Israeli forces demolished residential buildings in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and also targeted civilian homes east of Gaza City. These bombings add to the mounting destruction caused by ongoing airstrikes across the region. In Khan Younis, in the southern part of Gaza, the situation grew even more dire over the past 24 hours, with airstrikes killing at least 23 civilians; half of them occurred in an attack on tents housing displaced families in the Al-Mawasi area, southwest of Khan Younis. At the same time, Israeli artillery shelled various areas, including the northern parts of Al-Bureij and Al-Nuseirat refugee camps, as well as the eastern side of Al-Maghazi camp in central Gaza. In Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, an Israeli strike on a civilian home killed Fatima Abu Howeishil, a local woman, and injured eight others. The attack on civilian homes has exacerbated the already dire living conditions for the nearly two million Palestinians trapped in the enclave. The bombardment comes at a time when hospitals in Gaza are on the brink of collapse. With fuel for their generators expected to run out in just three days, medical facilities have issued urgent appeals for international aid to avert a complete healthcare crisis. Many hospitals are already overwhelmed by the sheer number of casualties and the lack of necessary medical supplies. The humanitarian situation has significantly deteriorated in the interim. In Gaza City, medical sources reported the heartbreaking death of four-month-old Jinan al-Skafy, who succumbed to malnutrition in a local hospital. Jinan's mother, Aya, had struggled to keep her daughter alive but was unable to produce sufficient breast milk due to her malnutrition, and the family had no access to baby formula or other essential nutrients. Jinan's death highlights the severe impact of the blockade on Gaza's vulnerable population, particularly the young and elderly. Since March 2, Israel has closed the Gaza Strip crossings to food, relief, medical aid, and goods, causing a significant deterioration in the humanitarian situation of Palestinians, according to government, human rights, and international reports. The 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza are completely dependent on this aid after 19 months of genocide that has reduced them to poverty, according to World Bank data. This humanitarian crisis comes amid the displacement of more than 90% of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip from their homes, some of whom have been through this experience more than once, living in overcrowded shelters or the open without shelter, which has increased the spread of disease and epidemics. Since October 7, 2023, with unconditional US support, Israel has been committing systematic genocide in the Gaza Strip, leaving more than 170,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing. Shortlink for this post:
Ammon
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
20 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza large areas
Ammon News - Twenty Palestinian civilians were killed early Monday morning after Israeli warplanes bombed large areas in the Gaza sources reported that 15 slain people and 10 wounded were recovered after Israeli warplanes targeted several apartments in Ramuz building near the Karama Junction, northwest of Gaza citizens were also killed and five others were injured when Israeli warplanes bombed the home of the Al-Attar family in Al-Sultan neighborhood, northwest of the Gaza citizen was killed and several others were injured after an Israeli drone bombed a group of citizens east of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Israeli forces blew up residential buildings in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, and also blew up a number of civilian homes east of Gaza October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation forces have launched an offensive on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the killing of 52,535 civilians, the majority of whom were children and women, and the injury of 118,491 is a preliminary toll, with a number of victims still under the rubble and on the streets, unable to be reached by ambulance and rescue crews. WAFA
