Following reports of widespread damage and looting at cultural heritage sites in Syria, ICOM (the International Council of Museums) has published the Emergency Red List of Syrian Cultural Objects at Risk with the aim of helping art and heritage professionals and law enforcement officials identify Syrian objects that are protected by national and international legislations. In order to facilitate identification, the Emergency Red List illustrates the categories or types of cultural items that are most likely to be illegally bought and sold.

Museums, auction houses, art dealers and collectors are encouraged not to acquire such objects without having carefully and thoroughly researched their origin and all the relevant legal documentation. Owing to the great diversity of objects, styles and periods, the Emergency Red List of Syrian Cultural Objects at Risk is far from exhaustive. Any cultural good that could have originated from  Syria should be subjected to detailed scrutiny and precautionary measures.