Port Sudan, 13-1-2026 (SUNA) – The Deputy Chief of the General Intelligence Service, Major General Abbas Bakhit, announced the successful recovery of 570 Sudanese antiquities pillaged during the recent conflict, in a complex national operation that also thwarted attempts to smuggle additional artifacts abroad. Speaking at a ceremony in Port Sudan marking the restoration of the stolen items, Abbas described the operation as a true battle to safeguard Sudan’s history and national heritage, carried out with professionalism and in close coordination with relevant authorities. He noted that the recovered artifacts were catalogued and classified using scientific and systematic methods. Maj. General Abbas emphasized that protecting antiquities is a vital component of national security and identity. He called on all citizens to report looted items or artifacts in their possession and to avoid participating in any illegal antiquities’ activities.He further warned that attacks on Sudan’s cultural heritage are as serious as violations of national territory and vowed that such crimes, which threaten the nation’s identity and collective memory, would be met with decisive action. The Deputy Intelligence Chief highlighted the General Intelligence Service’s readiness to monitor all forms of organized crime and assured that there would be no safe haven for those seeking to plunder Sudan’s heritage. He also stressed the full coordination with judicial authorities and regional partners to recover stolen artifacts through legal channels. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Finance Dr. Gebreil Ibrahim, Minister of Culture, Information, and Tourism Khalid Al‑Eisir, Undersecretary of Culture, Dr. Jerham Abdel-Gadir, the UNESCO Representative in Sudan, TSC Secretary General Lt. Gen. Mohamed Al‑Ghali, Undersecretary for Information Sumaya Al‑Hadi, political and executive leaders, and several ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps.BH/BH