Obama Signs into Law New Restrictions on Syrian Antiquities

The united states on Monday stepped up efforts to stop the Islamic State's trade in looted antiquities as President Barrack Obama signed into law new import restrictions on Syrian cultural artifacts. The bill passed the House and Senate last month. Its proponents argue that Islamic State and other militants have made millions of dollars selling irreplaceable artifacts on the black market, with buyers in America part of the market for the stolen goods. The profits have helped fund violence.

The new law prevents archaeological or ethnological material removed from Syria from being imported into the United States or sold in the country. Possible exceptions apply, such as when rightful owners want to temporarily relocate cultural property to the U.S. for protection.