Looting and Trafficking in War-Torn Syria

This chapter investigates the looting and trafficking of cultural artifacts during the Syrian civil war, highlighting ISIS's paradoxical role in both destroying and profiting from Syria's heritage. It examines the organized networks involved in smuggling and the post-ISIS continuation of these illicit activities in the chaos that followed. Amidst economic desperation, individuals turned to treasure hunting as a means of survival, revealing the dual impact of Syria's rich archaeological heritage and the dire socio-economic conditions.