National Security Service seizes antiquities and manuscripts in five governorates

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s National Security Service said it had seized hundreds of antiquities, manuscripts and rare gold coins and arrested suspected dealers and smugglers in operations across Kirkuk, Nineveh, Anbar, Babil and Wasit.

In Baghdad it recovered five statues, five pottery pieces, a cylinder seal and ancient coins, the agency said, with the items held pending transfer for preservation. A government employee was also caught in Nineveh subdividing archaeological land into plots for sale. All suspects were referred to the judiciary.

The agency seized 255 artefacts hidden near the highway between Basra and Dhi Qar in May. Iraq has recovered nearly 11,000 antiquities in the past two years and is negotiating with several countries over more. More than 15,000 objects were taken from the National Museum in Baghdad in April 2003 and thousands more from regional museums and sites, and in July 2021 Iraq secured the return of around 17,000 looted artefacts from the United States, its largest single repatriation.