As the world celebrates International Museum Day on Saturday, Iraq remains deeply affected by the loss of its invaluable antiquities following the U.S.-led invasion.

Iraq, home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, boasts a wealth of archaeological treasures. However, the chaos and instability that followed the 2003 invasion provided an opportunity for looters to plunder museums and unprotected archaeological sites.

In the early days of the U.S.-led coalition forces' occupation of Baghdad, thousands of priceless artifacts were systematically looted from the Iraq Museum. Adel al-Mubarak, an archaeologist and history teacher at al-Iraqia University in Baghdad, recounted that U.S. forces were stationed in the Alawi district, where the museum is located, yet failed to protect it from organized gangs and thieves. Approximately 15,000 artifacts remain missing.

The situation worsened with the irresponsible withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2011, which led to a security vacuum exploited by the Islamic State (IS). In 2014, IS seized large areas of northern and western Iraq, destroying the Mosul Museum and the ancient cities of Hatra and Nimrud, while also smuggling numerous historical relics.

Despite these challenges, Iraq has made significant efforts to recover its stolen heritage. Through effective international cooperation and the mobilization of diplomatic missions, thousands of archaeological pieces, manuscripts, books, and paintings have been reclaimed. However, major challenges persist, including ongoing thefts and random excavations, especially at sites far from urban areas or those unregulated by the government.

"The protection of archaeological sites requires financial, personnel, and logistical support from the government," noted al-Mubarak, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to safeguard Iraq's rich cultural heritage.