Authorities deny archaeological discovery as dispute over housing plans turns physical

BASRA — Basra’s Antiquities and Heritage Authority denied Saturday reports circulating on social media claiming that a complete ancient city had been discovered in eastern Shuaiba in Zubair district, saying the site is municipal land designated for housing distribution to local government employees.

Mustafa al-Husseini, director of the authority, told 964media that a technical inspection had been carried out and that an archaeological section of 52 dunams (about 13 acres) had been excluded from the total 772 dunams (about 191 acres) of land.

Artifacts uncovered during leveling work had been transferred to the authority and date to the Islamic period, though they remain under study. Land division and distribution would continue in the non-archaeological areas, he said.

Husseini said claims about a “complete ancient city” were being promoted by violators seeking to block demolition orders issued against them, with 71 violations recorded at the site including farms and livestock enclosures.

Local residents told 964media that people in the area had known for years that the land contained remains from different historical eras and warned that converting the site into a housing project could erase part of the area’s history.

The dispute has turned physical. A video circulated earlier this week showing the arrest of four people, including an elderly man, after clashes between residents and a municipal land division committee in the Shuaiba 2 area. Zubair district commissioner Abbas Maher told 964media that residents “suddenly attacked the committee and assaulted accompanying police officers” while they were attempting to complete administrative procedures. The four remain in police custody, according to witness Ahmed Ali, who called for “providing a suitable alternative for families before taking any steps related to the land.”

Maher said around 90% of transactions related to the area have been completed, with the remainder held up by irregularities including applicants listing relatives who do not live in the area, families owning homes elsewhere while applying for replacement housing and tenants claiming ownership of rented properties.