Britain returns stolen Assyrian artifact to Iraq, marking major diplomatic success

LONDON / BAGHDAD — In a significant diplomatic achievement, Britain has returned a historical artifact to the Iraqi embassy in London, which had been stolen from Iraq during the Gulf War. The artifact, which once adorned the northwestern gate of Nimrud Palace during the Assyrian Kingdom era, was formally handed over to Iraqi officials.

Dating back to between 883 and 858 BC, the artifact is a one-meter wide and 1.13-meter-long relief, weighing 333 kilograms. It was originally placed atop a sculpture in the ancient Nimrud Palace, located in Nineveh Governorate, northern Iraq.

Iraqi Ambassador to the UK, Jaafar al-Sadr, emphasized the importance of restoring Iraq’s stolen heritage and expressed his gratitude to British authorities for their cooperation. He also called on individuals holding Iraqi artifacts to return them, underlining the government’s priority to recover its lost antiquities.

The return of this artifact comes at a time when Iraq continues to grapple with the destruction caused by Islamic State (ISIS) militants, particularly in ancient sites like Nimrud. Ambassador al-Sadr noted the immense historical and cultural value of this piece, especially in light of the extensive damage inflicted by ISIS on the region’s heritage.

The handover ceremony, held at the Iraqi embassy in London, was attended by Iraqi and British officials, following extensive discussions between the Iraqi government and the British Museum to facilitate the return of the relic.