Archaeological sites in the Syrian city of Raqqa have suffered widespread damage and neglect after years of war, looting and fragmented control, with activists and officials warning that parts of the city’s ancient heritage are at risk of being lost.
The sites, some dating back thousands of years, have been exposed to illegal excavations, unregulated construction and environmental damage, particularly during more than three years of control by the Islamic State group (ISIS) and in the years that followed under different authorities.
The city was the capital of ISIS' short-lived "caliphate", but also underwent severe bombing campaigns by the Assad regime and Russia while under the control of Syrian rebels, resulting in damage to historical sites. Raqqa is home to more than 100 archaeological sites and mounds, shaped by successive civilisations, particularly Abbasid and Byzantine, including landmarks such as Qal’at Ja’bar, the city’s historic walls, Qasr al-Banat and Tell Zeidan.
Journalist Osama Khalaf told Syria TV that many of these sites have become neglected or reduced to structures that have "lost their value" following years of instability and shifting control between ISIS and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) .
He pointed to examples of deterioration, noting that buildings such as the Mansouriyya mosque have been turned into spaces for drug use, while Qasr al-Banat has become a gathering place for alcohol and drug consumption and unsafe activity.
Khalaf added that key landmarks have also been affected by natural factors such as erosion and rising humidity in the absence of restoration.
Parts of Raqqa’s historic walls have been demolished along a stretch of nearly four kilometres, with stones reused for construction and visible cracks forming.
Activists say the damage has been compounded by years of weak oversight. Mahmoud al-Najras, an activist in archaeology and culture, told Syria TV that the situation was "deliberate and intentional", suggesting it was aimed at erasing the city’s identity.
"These archaeological landmarks are what we take pride in, and any nation without heritage or history is a nation without roots," he said, calling for stricter protection measures.
Concerns have also been raised about poor restoration work. Najras said some efforts were "somewhat acceptable", but others had "distorted the sites due to the absence of specialists and the involvement of unqualified individuals".
Other activists warn that a lack of security has allowed further damage, with some sites reportedly falling into complete disrepair, while illegal digging continues.
"Some sites have become rubbish dumps. It’s not only nearby residents — people come from elsewhere to dump waste and leave, in the absence of guards and oversight," said activist Alwan Zaiter.
Local officials have acknowledged the scale of the problem. Raqqa’s Director of Culture, Rimaz al-Ajili, described conditions as a "very difficult reality", citing years of war and multiple authorities.
She warned that illegal excavations and the smuggling of artefacts abroad represent a "very big problem", adding that many sites lack basic protections such as fencing or guards.
"We also have sites affected by agricultural encroachments, such as Tell Zeidan, where farming is taking place inside the site," she said.
Ajili said efforts are underway to document violations, but stressed that restoration will take time.
"These violations can be addressed, but they require time," she said.
Activists and officials warn that without stronger protection and restoration, Raqqa’s archaeological heritage faces further deterioration, with some losses potentially irreversible.