Baghdad: The Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) announced on Monday the recovery of rare antiquities, while noting that it had carried out intelligence-led operations in six provinces.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the service stated that as part of ongoing efforts to protect the country’s historical and cultural heritage, the Baghdad Security Directorate of the National Security Service recovered a collection of rare antiquities. This collection includes five statues, five pottery artifacts, a cylinder seal, and ancient metal coins. The necessary legal procedures have been taken to seize the items pending their handover to the relevant authorities and preservation at designated locations in accordance with the law.

The service detailed that it carried out a series of intelligence-led operations in the provinces of Kirkuk, Nineveh, Anbar, Babil, and Wasit, based on precise intelligence and judicial authorizations. These operations resulted in the seizure of hundreds of antiquities, manuscripts, and rare gold coins, as well as the arrest of several traders and smugglers involved in the trafficking of the country’s cultural heritage. Additionally, a government employee was arrested after being caught red-handed dividing up archaeological land and selling it in Nineveh.

The statement concluded by noting that all suspects were referred to the competent judicial authorities to complete the necessary legal procedures against them.