Thwarting antiquities smuggling north of Baghdad

Baghdad - INA

The Security Media Cell announced today, Thursday, that it had thwarted the smuggling of ancient and valuable antiquities hidden in a house north of Baghdad.

 The cell said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "it was a qualitative, proactive operation aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of Mesopotamia from theft and smuggling, and it was carried out according to accurate intelligence information for the Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Cell of the Military Intelligence Directorate in the Ministry of Defense, which confirmed the presence of ancient and valuable antiquities in one of the The houses north of Baghdad were prepared for smuggling by a specialized gang, which raided the intelligence and counter-terrorism cell detachments and a force from the deep reconnaissance battalion in the Military Intelligence Directorate - that house.

The cell also added, "The force seized a group of hidden antiquities," noting that "after taking all fundamental measures, it was handed over to the National Museum Administration, as it is the competent authority."