The United States yesterday, Saturday, returned to the Iraqi embassy in Baghdad a stolen, antique chess board that belonged to late president Saddam Hussein, reports Iraqi News.
“A stolen Iraqi artifact was returned to the Government of Iraq! Yesterday the U.S. Embassy met with the Deputy Minister of Culture for Antiquities & Heritage Affairs Qais Rasheed to return an antique chess set, owned by Saddam Hussein, stolen in 2003 and recovered by the FBI,” the embassy statement read. “The U.S. is committed to helping return stolen Iraqi artifacts,” it added.
Following the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, numerous Iraqi antiquities were stolen, including belongings of the late leader.
Theft and archaeological site destruction continued with the emergence of ISIS in 2014.
Last Sunday, Egypt’s Antiquities Ministry said it had handed over 44 ancient coins to the Iraqi ambassadors in Cairo. The ministry said they dated back to the era of kings Faisal I, Faisal II, and Ghazi I of Iraq.