‘ISIL smuggling Iraq antiquities to European countries’

As new reports say, ISIL terrorists have smuggled Iraqi antiquities into European countries mainly through Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.

Washington Post said that the group can raise more money through the sale of the rare pieces in Britain and other European countries, adding that those pieces include gold and silver money that goes back to the Byzantine era, as well as pieces of pottery and Roman glass.

Archaeologists and experts say the group sold more than 100 archaeological antiquities from Syria and Iraq.

After ISIL released a video showing
its militants destroying the Mosul Museum, Iran offered to protect Iraqi antiquities at risk. To this end, Iran has sent letters to Irina Bokova, Director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Iraqi officials to express its readiness to host Iraqi ancient artifacts.

The Mosul Museum is the second most important museum in Iraq. It was previously looted during the US-led invasion of the country.

ISIL atrocities did not only affect Iraqi people but also Iraqi heritage. Many here believe that those antiquities are as important as the lives of thousands of Iraqis, and call on the international community to protect their heritage.