Britain seizes 185 artifacts as Iraq seeks return of looted items

British authorities recently seized 185 Iraqi artifacts as Iraq pushes for the repatriation of items looted from its cultural sites since the U.S. invasion in 2003. Former Vice President Dick Cheney, the architect of the war, died Monday, his family announced.

Iraqi Culture Minister Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani made the announcement that the artifacts had been seized in a speech held on October 28 during a conference on the role Baghdad has had on civilization throughout history.

Badrani said that the seizure in Britain, which happened a few days earlier, highlights the ministry’s commitment to protecting Iraq’s national heritage.