Embassy of Iraq in Rome: Work is underway to recover seven artifacts

Baghdad - INA

The Iraqi embassy in Rome confirmed today, Sunday, that work is underway to retrieve the Syriac "Sidra" manuscript to Iraq, after it was restored by the Italian side.

Iraq's ambassador to Rome, Safia Al-Suhail, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "There are seven artifacts that the embassy is working to complete retrieval procedures in cooperation with the Italian concerned authorities, as well as following up the issue of restoring the Syriac (Sidra) manuscript and returning it to Iraq."

She added, "Italy has sent teams specialized in excavating for antiquities, in several regions of northern and southern Iraq."

She pointed out that "there is great cooperation by the Italian ministries of foreign affairs and culture and the national gendarmerie there (Carabinieri), in order to return the smuggled Iraqi antiquities, as the statue of the (Mother Goddess) was previously returned, as well as the return of thirteen pieces in 2008 in an official ceremony between the two prime ministers. The two countries, in addition to the return of five other artifacts, were handed over to the embassy in 2014