Dr Saad Eskander, Director of the Iraq National Library and Archive (INLA) has warned the facility was yesterday “broken into by unruly and aggressive” members of the Iraqi National Guard.

The Director’s blog is filtered through the British Library’s website and has been running since November 2006 when the Baghdad institute began finalising preparations for re-opening in the beleaguered city.

The blog details the difficulties and dangers suffered by the library and its staff since its destruction in 2003. The latest trials have seen the INLA being subject to armed occupation on more than one occasion. Eskander says the Iraqi National Guard Commander justified his forces entry and continued presence on the premises due to orders from superiors as well as American forces. Eskander reported the commander saying they were “wanting to protect Shi’i visitors of the holy shrines of al-Kadhimiyah”. There is currently a 4-day curfew period operating.

However Eskander argues that “Iraqi security and armed forces cannot enter any state-run institution without prior approval of the government and the concerned authorities”. He was not notified of such an order and because of the curfew restrictions he is unable to go to the INLA and join his staff.

The library chief also claims that on Monday 6th August, a US military patrol entered the INLA main building without permission and demanded to see the library guards ID papers. He also adds in the blog; “In July, US soldiers entered the INLA three times. It seems clear to me that the actions of US soldiers’ have encouraged Iraqi national guards to do the same i.e. entering and then occupying the building by force”.

This week’s developments, add to the plethora of violence and hardship the INLA and its 400 plus multi-faith staff continue to endure since helping to rebuild the destroyed facility. “The reckless actions of the US Army and the Iraqi National Guards will put the INLA’s staff and library and archival collections in real danger” said Eskander. “I hold both the US Army and the Iraqi National Guards responsible for all future material damages, cultural losses and human casualties”.