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Fighting for the ruins of Christian Iraq

By Andrew Doran, Special to CNN

Updated 1648 GMT (0048 HKT) June 29, 2015

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ISIS seized control of <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/15/middleeast/gallery/palmyra-ruins-syria/index.html">Palmyra</a>, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back 2,000 years, in May, prompting fears for the site's survival. The Syrian government confirmed ISIS fighters have <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/24/middleeast/syria-isis-palmyra-shrines/index.html">destroyed two Muslim shrines</a> in the ancient oasis city. It's the latest act of cultural vandalism by the Sunni extremists.
Photos: Historic sites damaged by ISIS
ISIS seized control of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back 2,000 years, in May, prompting fears for the site's survival. The Syrian government confirmed ISIS fighters have destroyed two Muslim shrines in the ancient oasis city. It's the latest act of cultural vandalism by the Sunni extremists.
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ISIS released a propaganda video showing its fighters destroying Iraq's ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in March. The destruction follows other attacks on antiquity carried out by the militant group in Iraq and Syria. The United Nations has described such deliberate cultural destruction as a "war crime."
Photos: Historic sites damaged by ISIS
ISIS released a propaganda video showing its fighters destroying Iraq's ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in March. The destruction follows other attacks on antiquity carried out by the militant group in Iraq and Syria. The United Nations has described such deliberate cultural destruction as a "war crime."
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The Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in March that ISIS had bulldozed the ruins of Nimrud, seen here in 2009.
Photos: Historic sites damaged by ISIS
The Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in March that ISIS had bulldozed the ruins of Nimrud, seen here in 2009.
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Bas-relief panels from the Palace of Ashurnasirpal II are seen in Nimrud in 2009.
Photos: Historic sites damaged by ISIS
Bas-relief panels from the Palace of Ashurnasirpal II are seen in Nimrud in 2009.
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This file photo from 2003 shows the ancient ruins of Hatra in Iraq. It is another one of the cultural sites that have reportedly been damaged by ISIS.
Photos: Historic sites damaged by ISIS
This file photo from 2003 shows the ancient ruins of Hatra in Iraq. It is another one of the cultural sites that have reportedly been damaged by ISIS.
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Bas-reliefs of masks in Hatra
Photos: Historic sites damaged by ISIS
Bas-reliefs of masks in Hatra
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A statue of the goddess Shamiya, or Shahiro, at Hatra in 2009
Photos: Historic sites damaged by ISIS
A statue of the goddess Shamiya, or Shahiro, at Hatra in 2009
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In this image made from video posted on a social media account affiliated with ISIS, a militant uses a power tool to destroy a winged-bull Assyrian protective deity at the Nineveh Museum in Mosul, Iraq.
Photos: Historic sites damaged by ISIS
In this image made from video posted on a social media account affiliated with ISIS, a militant uses a power tool to destroy a winged-bull Assyrian protective deity at the Nineveh Museum in Mosul, Iraq.
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"It's tragic to see this destruction," said William Webber, from the UK-based Art Loss Register. "Each time you see this you think it can't happen again, but it does." The Mosul museum held 173 original pieces of antiquity and was being readied for reopening when ISIS invaded Mosul in June.
Photos: Historic sites damaged by ISIS
"It's tragic to see this destruction," said William Webber, from the UK-based Art Loss Register. "Each time you see this you think it can't happen again, but it does." The Mosul museum held 173 original pieces of antiquity and was being readied for reopening when ISIS invaded Mosul in June.
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An exterior shot of Nineveh in May 2008