Historic Tuz Khurmatu bazaar faces growing risk of collapse

TUZ KHURMATU — The historic Qaisariyah market in Tuz Khurmatu district, in Salah al-Din governorate, is deteriorating and nearing collapse, with repeated structural damage and no clear authority taking responsibility for its restoration.

Parts of the market continue to collapse over time. On Sunday evening, Jan. 4, 2026, one of the shops inside the Qaisariyah collapsed while its owner was not inside at the time.

Hussein Aziz, a shop owner in the market, told 964media that disagreements among shop owners and the absence of coordination have left the historic structure without repairs. “The shop owners do not agree among themselves and do not carry out renovations, and the government says it has nothing to do with it,” he said.

Aziz said attempts to restore the market have repeatedly stalled due to unclear requirements from the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. “Whenever we want to carry out renovations, the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage gives us regulations that are not clear. We do not know what they really want or what their rules are,” he said. He added that “a Turkish company was invited to carry out the restoration, but when it learned that the market is owned by individuals and not the government, it refused to proceed.”

He said the ongoing deterioration has forced many shop owners to leave. Out of about 50 shops originally operating in the Qaisariyah, only around 15 remain open due to collapses and the poor condition of the buildings.

Contacted by 964media, Tuz Khurmatu district administrator Zulfiqar Haider said ownership of all shops inside the Qaisariyah market belongs to citizens and shopkeepers, placing responsibility for maintenance on them. He said relevant authorities can intervene and carry out restoration only if the shop owners relinquish ownership and transfer it to the government.

The Qaisariyah market in Tuz Khurmatu dates back to 1918 and has not undergone renovation since its construction, according to local officials.