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Amna Suraka: The Red Museum

Explore the haunting history of Saddam Hussein's Red Museum in Sulaymaniyah, a memorial to the Kurdish people's resilience and struggle for freedom.

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Amna Suraka, also known as the Red Museum, in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, is a former Iraqi Intelligence Service headquarters transformed into a museum and memorial. It commemorates the victims of Saddam Hussein's regime and documents the atrocities committed against the Kurdish people. The museum serves as a poignant reminder of a tumultuous period in Iraqi history and the resilience of the Kurdish population.

A brief summary to Amna Suraka, Red Museum

  • Monday 9 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-4 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on weekdays to avoid larger crowds and have a more intimate experience.
  • Allocate at least two hours to fully appreciate the history and stories presented.
  • Consider hiring a local guide for deeper insights into the exhibits and the historical context.
  • Check for any special exhibitions or events happening during your visit.
  • Respect the solemn atmosphere, especially in areas depicting sensitive historical events.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the center of Sulaymaniyah, walk towards Saeed Kaban Street. Ask locals for directions if needed. Continue on Saeed Kaban Street for 15-20 minutes. Amna Suraka will be on your right.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available in Sulaymaniyah. A taxi ride from the city center to Amna Suraka typically costs between 4,000 to 5,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $3-$4 USD) for a 5-kilometer ride. Agree on the fare before starting the ride. Ensure the taxi is an official yellow taxi with a 'TAXI' sign.

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Discover more about Amna Suraka, Red Museum

Amna Suraka, meaning 'Safe Place', ironically served as the northern division headquarters of the Mukhabarat, Saddam Hussein's secret intelligence agency, and a notorious prison. Built in the 1980s, local Kurds were misled into constructing what they thought was a bureaucratic center. In reality, it was a place of internment, interrogation, and torture. The reddish color of the buildings led to its grim nickname: the Red Prison. Following the Kurdish uprising in 1991, Peshmerga forces captured Amna Suraka. With the support of Hero Ibrahim Ahmed, it was transformed into a museum in 2003. Today, the museum stands as a testament to the Kurdish struggle for autonomy and a memorial to those who suffered under Saddam Hussein's regime. Visitors can explore the multi-story administrative building, left largely intact after its capture, bearing the scars of warfare. The Hall of Mirrors serves as a particularly moving exhibit, with 4,500 light bulbs representing destroyed villages and 182,000 shards of glass symbolizing the lives lost during the al-Anfal campaign. The basement displays haunting photographs from the chemical attack on Halabja. Exhibits also include prison cells, torture methods, and personal stories of victims, offering a chilling glimpse into the atrocities committed within its walls. Outside, visitors can see tanks and helicopters, remnants of the conflict.

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