Iraq mobilises UNESCO support to condemn attacks on schools, cultural sites

Iraq has “succeeded in rallying international support” within UNESCO to condemn attacks on educational and cultural institutions, as well as on civilians, Asaad Turki Sawara, Iraq’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, said.

He made it clear that the country’s cultural and education authorities presented the initiative at the 224th session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, held in Paris on April 13, with the participation of member states and senior diplomatic delegations, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iraqi media.

The proposal received broad backing from participating countries, with attendees observing a minute of silence in memory of the victims and expressing condemnation of human and cultural losses.

Military operations during the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran caused significant damage to Iran’s cultural and educational sector.

According to authorities, around 140 historical sites were damaged, with losses estimated at approximately $110 million.

Airstrikes also resulted in significant civilian casualties: 230 students and teachers were killed, 177 people were injured, and between 500 and 600 educational and cultural institutions were damaged or destroyed across more than 12 provinces.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov