The Ministry of Interior announced today, Tuesday, the discovery of 2,550 archaeological artifacts and the removal of 36 violations at archaeological and heritage sites, in addition to accompanying 58 excavation missions since the beginning of this year, 2026.
The official spokesperson for the ministry, Colonel Mohammad Ali Al-Hassoun, stated in a press interview that I reviewed "the statistics from the Directorate for the Protection of Antiquities and Heritage since the beginning of this year 2026 until today, showed the discovery of 2,550 archaeological artifacts, the removal of 36 violations at archaeological and heritage sites, as well as accompanying 58 local and international excavation missions, in addition to conducting field patrols to monitor the safety of archaeological sites and preserve them."
He added that "protecting Iraq's cultural and historical heritage represents a major national responsibility; due to the depth of civilization this country possesses, which extends thousands of years, as it is the cradle of ancient civilizations that contributed to building the history of humanity."
Al-Hassoun confirmed that "the Ministry of Interior is continuing its duties to protect the precious cultural heritage and provide a safe environment for the work of excavation missions, ensuring the preservation of Iraq's ancient history and safeguarding its cultural treasures."