Iraq announces major reconstruction effort for ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud

NIMRUD, Iraq — The Iraqi government unveiled an ambitious plan to restore the ancient city of Nimrud, a historic site that dates back to the Assyrian Empire (1250–610 BCE).

Heritage Minister Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani announced the discovery of 35,000 archaeological artifacts, which are set to undergo advanced restoration. Nimrud, once the capital of the Assyrian Empire under King Ashurbanipal, is located 360 km north of Baghdad and 32 km southeast of Mosul in Nineveh.

The city suffered extensive destruction in 2015 when the Islamic State (ISIS) launched a deliberate campaign to obliterate Iraq’s cultural heritage. The militant group looted thousands of relics, selling them on the black market to fund their operations, and caused widespread damage to Nimrud’s historical landmarks.

Liberated from ISIS in 2016 by the Iraqi Army, Nimrud has since been the focus of efforts to rebuild and recover its lost heritage. Al-Badrani condemned ISIS’s actions as cultural war crimes, noting the devastation sparked global outrage. UNESCO classified the destruction as a violation of international law.

The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring the 35,000 recovered artifacts with the support of international experts and cutting-edge restoration techniques. Despite these efforts, the exact number of stolen artifacts remains unknown.

The reconstruction of Nimrud represents a significant step toward preserving Iraq’s ancient history and reviving one of its most treasured archaeological sites.