Iraq Recovers Stolen Artifacts from Japan and Switzerland

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Tuesday the successful recovery of Iraqi artifacts from Japan and Switzerland, marking another milestone in the country's ongoing efforts to reclaim its looted cultural heritage.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Culture Minister Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani, Hussein emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been committed to a comprehensive recovery strategy, which has so far resulted in the retrieval of tens of thousands of smuggled artifacts.

During a joint press conference with Culture Minister Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani on the handover of recovered Iraqi artifacts, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated that, “as part of the ministry’s recovery strategy, tens of thousands of smuggled artifacts have been reclaimed.” He emphasized that “the recovery process remains one of the greatest challenges in diplomatic efforts, requiring extensive coordination with foreign governments and international organizations to safeguard Iraq’s cultural heritage.”

Hussein underscored that “these recovered artifacts are not merely objects, but integral components of Iraq’s national identity and enduring proof of its ancient civilization.” He called for “collective efforts to ensure the return of all Iraqi antiquities still held abroad.”

Culture Minister al-Badrani expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its relentless efforts in tracking and recovering stolen artifacts worldwide. "Thanks to the collective efforts of all involved, including the Foreign Ministry, we have restored rare artifacts to the Iraqi Museum pieces that belong to ancient civilizations and were wrongfully taken," he said.

Iraq has been working to reclaim its looted heritage for years. Since 2008, the United States alone has returned over 1,200 stolen artifacts to Iraq, whose museums and cultural sites suffered extensive looting in the aftermath of 2003.