KIRKUK, Iraq

The historical Kirkuk Citadel, one of the most important symbols of Iraq’s northern Kirkuk province, is in danger of collapse due to natural events and years of neglect.

Built in 884 BC, the citadel has been the cradle of many civilizations throughout history. It contains traces of the Seljuk and Ottoman periods and is waiting to be restored.

Some parts of the castle, located in the center of the city, were destroyed during the Saddam regime in 1990. And Turkmen families, who were the first inhabitants of the region, were forcibly displaced.

A large number of historical and religious sites still exist at the site, including monuments believed to be the tombs of prophets Daniel, Huneyin and Uzair.

Historical artifacts in Iraq have been left to their fate for years because of the ongoing conflict, terrorist attacks and economic difficulties, researcher and author Aydin Kirkuk told Anadolu Agency.

Historian, researcher and author Necat Kevseroglu also said the castle contains artifacts from the Ottoman period.

Kevseroglu called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to save the castle from collapse.

“I believe that this ancestral heirloom will not be allowed to disappear,” he said.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz