Deir Ezzor: Widespread Protests Over Conversion of Museum into Government Offices

The province of Deir Ezzor has witnessed widespread public discontent following a decision by the relevant authorities to convert the Deir Ezzor Museum — the most prominent cultural landmark in the region — into offices for administrative development. The move has sparked a wave of objections among local residents, intellectuals, and activists.

Public Petition Against the Decision
Residents of the province submitted a petition to the Syrian Transitional Government titled: “Save the Deir Ezzor Museum from Erasure,” expressing their rejection of the decision. They emphasized that the museum serves as a cultural mirror of the Middle Euphrates memory and houses the heritage of ancient civilizations such as Mari and Tell Sheikh Hamad.

Fears of Cultural Identity Erasure
The petition signatories asserted that turning the museum into government offices constitutes an erasure of cultural identity and a neglect of historical heritage. They called for halting any action that changes the museum’s cultural function and for restoring it as a cultural and tourist center worthy of the province’s history.

Calls to Protect Heritage
The petition also called for the revival of the National Committee for Museums in Syria and urged respect for international treaties previously endorsed by the country, such as The Hague and UNESCO conventions on heritage protection. The signatories stressed the importance of involving the local community in deciding the museum’s fate.

Residents viewed the protection of the Deir Ezzor Museum as a national responsibility that goes beyond the local level — a crucial step toward reaffirming Syria’s cultural role both regionally and internationally.