Strategies for engaging armed groups in cultural heritage protection

Lalish, the site of a holy Yazidi temple, in Iraq (Credit: Jonathan Rider)

Jonathan Rider, Christopher Rider, Ashley Jackson & Pascal Bongard

This briefing paper outlines practical strategies for engaging armed groups and de facto authorities in the protection of cultural heritage. Drawing on field experience and comparative case studies, it examines what works—and what doesn’t—when initiating cultural dialogue in conflict settings. It emphasises the importance of tailored, context-specific approaches, grounded in political economy analysis and conflict sensitivity. The paper explores the role of intermediaries, including civil society organisations and community actors, and discusses how to navigate common risks, such as legitimising armed actors or inadvertently elevating heritage as a target. It also highlights the importance of integrating heritage protection into wider peacebuilding and humanitarian strategies, and offers concrete recommendations for practitioners, donors, and policymakers. This is part of a broader series produced by the Centre on Armed Groups and Aleph Strategies, with support from the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund.