SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — In a confrontation on Friday, two members of the Kurdistan Region’s security forces, known as Asayish, were killed by ISIS sleeper cells in Sulaimani’s Qaradagh district. The incident occurred as the militants attempted to loot artifacts from the Naram-Sin archaeological site, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region’s Security Agency.
The statement detailed that clashes erupted when the Asayish team, on routine surveillance duty to protect the site, intervened to prevent the militants from excavating and stealing valuable artifacts.
“Initial evidence and information about the incident indicate that it was a terrorist act perpetrated by individuals linked to ISIS,” read the statement by the Kurdistan Region’s Security Agency.
Following the incident, Rauf Kamal, the mayor of Qaradagh district, confirmed to Zoom News that the individuals involved in the deadly clashes with security forces were a group of heritage looters who remain at large. He added that heavy security forces have been deployed to search the area and pursue the gunmen.
The bodies of the deceased security personnel were later transferred to the Sulaimani Medical Institute for forensic examination. Shadost Farhad of Zoom News, reporting from the institute, stated that two additional security members were injured in the incident and have been transferred to Sulaimani’s Shar Hospital for treatment.
Naram-Sin was a notable ruler of the Akkadian Empire, which existed in ancient Mesopotamia. The archaeological site linked to his reign is considered significant, making its protection a priority for local authorities.
#BREAKING: Two members of the Kurdistan Region’s security forces have been killed during clashes with unidentified gunmen at the Naramseen archaeological site in Sulaimani’s Qaradagh district, where the attackers were attempting to loot artifacts. Authorities are actively… pic.twitter.com/8clR3HnJ1P
— Zoom News (@zoomnewskrd) August 9, 2024
