Difficulties in rebuilding historic bridges after conflicts: the case of the Mosul stone bridge

Historic bridges are crucial city landmarks, requiring expert input to preserve them in accordance with international policies and approaches. This ensures the protection of their historical and architectural value and their preservation for as long as possible. During conflict and war, bridges often suffer significant damage, leading to extensive destruction or complete demolition. The historic stone bridge over the Al-Khosar River in Mosul, constructed during the Ottoman era in 1856, sustained direct damage during the military operations in 2017, resulting in the substantial destruction of parts of the bridge. The objective of this study is to examine the challenges and constraints encountered during the reconstruction of this significant urban landmark. To this end, the architectural and engineering aspects of the project will be analysed, while also highlighting the difficulties in adhering to the standards and requirements set forth in international conventions and legislation pertaining to the preservation of historical urban landmarks and the protection of these structures from extinction. Subsequently, a series of conclusions and recommendations will be presented, offering insights to inform future endeavours involving the restoration of similarly invaluable edifices.