Valuable Sculptures Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient statues and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The burglary was noticed on the start of the week, when employees reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen taken pieces were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, a source stated to the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "details surrounding the loss of a number of items", and that measures had been enacted to enhance safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The chief of internal security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as saying that security forces were investigating the theft, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He added that guards at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, holds the significant archaeological collection in Syria.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the oldest known linguistic system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the ancient world; and a ancient synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The facility was forced to close in 2012, twelve months after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the holdings was evacuated and stored at secret locations to safeguard them.
It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The militant faction blew up several religious structures and other structures at the ancient city, asserting that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the damage as a violation.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or stolen from dig sites and cultural institutions.
