DUBAI, UAE - A memorial site holding the bodies of British and Indian soldiers from World War I in Basra has been subjected to repeated acts of vandalism and neglect, with offensive graffiti covering its walls and concerns rising over potential land seizures, according to local activists and officials.

Once solemn historical sites, the Basra War Cemetery and the Basra Indian Forces Cemetery are now covered in defacement, including inappropriate graffiti such as “Sewer Office” and “Surface Crane.” The destruction has turned the site into a desolate space lacking protection and maintenance.

The cemeteries, which are directly opposite each other, date back to late 1914 and are the final resting places of British and Indian soldiers who died during World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). A plaque at the entrance states that 3,381 soldiers are buried there under the supervision of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Despite its historical significance, many gravestones have been destroyed, and only a few memorial walls and plaques remain intact, listing the names of fallen soldiers.

Ali al-Abadi, head of the Iraq Center for Human Rights, told The New Region that the site has faced multiple acts of vandalism without intervention from authorities, despite repeated calls for its protection.

“Some parties are attempting to take over the cemetery land by threatening to relocate the remains,” Abadi said. “This is a blatant violation of historical heritage.”

Abadi said the United Kingdom and the US-led global coalition have previously urged Iraq to preserve the site, but their efforts have received little attention. He also noted that ongoing urban encroachments further threaten the cemeteries’ integrity.

He called on the Ministry of Culture and municipal authorities to act swiftly to protect the site, saying, “preserving these landmarks is a national responsibility to safeguard Basra’s history and heritage.”

Ahmed Hussein, a resident of the Hakimiya area, said the cemetery is more than just a burial ground.

“It is an essential part of Basra’s history and culture,” Hussein told The New Region. “The continued neglect of this site is deeply upsetting because it carries important stories about key moments in the city’s past.”

Hussein said local and national government officials have received multiple appeals to protect the site, but no significant action has been taken. He also claimed that the UK has called for its preservation but has received little response from Iraqi authorities.

“We are witnessing continuous violations against this historical site,” Hussein said. “Some groups are not only defacing it with graffiti but also trying to seize the land by threatening to relocate the remains. This is unacceptable.”

Basra provincial council member Haidar al-Marriani said the council has raised concerns about offensive messages scrawled across the cemetery’s walls.

“This is not just a superficial problem but a significant issue affecting our history and identity,” Marriani told The New Region. “This cemetery is a testament to a critical phase in Iraq’s history, and we must work to protect it from any defacement.”

He added that simply erasing the graffiti is not enough. “We need a deeper approach because what we do today will affect future generations,” he said. “Protecting these historical landmarks is not just a duty, it is a national responsibility.”

Officials and activists continue to call for urgent intervention to prevent further destruction of the site and to safeguard Basra’s historical sites from encroachment.