Free Republic

Iraqi police have confiscated scores of artifacts and arrested two smugglers in the southern Province of Dhiqar, al-Zaman news reported on Monday... The two smugglers in question have long been dealing in stolen relics. One police source was quoted as saying on condition of anonymity: "Interior Ministry forces in coordination with the Iraqi army seized 64 archaeological pieces as well as 114 bronze coins in a district of al-Fajir." The province of Dhiqar holds some of the most archaeologically precious excavation mounds in Iraq. Its historical treasures have turned it into a hub for smugglers and illegal diggers. Many of...

Defence Secretary Des Browne chats to British troops during a visit to Iraq in May 2006. The Iraqis have passed yet another major milestone with the hand over of Dhi Qar province last week. It is the second province - Al Muthanna being the first - to be handed over to Iraqi control. UK Defence Secretary Des Browne congratulated the Iraqi people, saying, “I am pleased that Dhi Qar province in southern Iraq is today being handed over to Iraqi control. I congratulate the Iraqis on this achievement, along with our Italian and Romanian partners, whose hard work has...

An Italian Soldier takes in the view atop the Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq's Dhi Qar province. The location, in southern Iraq, is purported to be the hometown of the biblical figure Abraham. Dhi Qar is slated to be transferred to provincial Iraqi control later this month. Al Muthanna, a neighboring province, was the first of Iraq's 18 provinces to achieve this status in July. Department of Defense photo by Air Force Capt. Thomas Montgomery. BAGHDAD -- The Government of Iraq took control of the southern province of Dhi Qar on Thursday in a move Coalition officials called ‘another sign...

A member of Iraq's security forces Dhi Qar was the second Iraqi province to be handed over UK and Italian forces in southern Iraq have handed over control of the province of Dhi Qar to Iraqi forces. At a ceremony in the provincial capital, Nasiriya, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki described the handover as a "great day". It is the second of 18 provinces to be handed over, following neighbouring Muthanna in July. Dhi Qar is one of the country's less troubled provinces, and has been in the British area of control since 2003. But the handover is not being...