Iraq recovers over 40,000 stolen artefacts smuggled abroad since 2003

Iraq recovered more than 40,000 stolen ancient artefacts smuggled abroad since 2003, according to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities. Their spokesperson told The New Arab that this historic achievement underscores the country's commitment to protecting its heritage.

"The recovery process, focused on heritage and antiquities, is ongoing. We continuously monitor for information on artefacts stolen or smuggled since 2003, coordinating closely with related authorities," Ahmed Al-Alyawi, ministry spokesperson, told TNA by phone. "Despite challenges from illegal excavations, careful follow-up and investigation have enabled the return of key historical items, contributing to the main goal of restoring Iraq's heritage."

"We have recovered thousands of artefacts from countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, totalling about forty thousand pieces or more. These include the Tablet of Gilgamesh and the Sumerian Ram in a Thicket. This success shows the organised work of our teams," al-Alyawi added. "This recovery highlights our resilience and commitment to defending Iraq's cultural heritage. We urge nations to continue supporting Iraq's right to reclaim antiquities and its cultural identity, which is essential in protecting shared global heritage."

A rare Ibex statue, believed to be 4,500 years old and returned with help from Iraq's Washington embassy, marks a milestone in the overall campaign to recover the nation’s lost heritage.

The embassy noted last week that the Ibex statue's return reaffirms both Iraq's status as a cradle of early civilisation and the importance of these recovery efforts.

Following the 2003 US-led invasion, Iraq suffered extensive looting of its museums and archaeological sites. Thousands of items vanished from the Iraq National Museum and other heritage locations, while countless others were destroyed—particularly during the rise of the Islamic State group after 2014.