In a decisive move to safeguard world heritage, UNESCO has officially granted "Enhanced Protection" status to the Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe and the Sacred Sites of Jebel Barkal. This designation, established under the 1999 Second Protocol to the Hague Convention, provides these ancient Kushite landmarks with the highest level of immunity from military use or targeting during the current civil unrest in Sudan.
International observers and heritage experts have raised alarms over the proximity of heavy fighting to the iconic pyramids of Meroe. The new status mandates that all parties in the conflict refrain from using the sites for any military purpose, with potential prosecution for war crimes under international law for any violations. UNESCO is also coordinating with local museum staff to move portable artifacts to secure, undisclosed locations.