Ancient Statues Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and other artefacts have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The theft was discovered on Monday, when employees allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.
The six stolen sculptures were marble creations and dated back to the Roman period, an authority informed the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen protection and surveillance.
The chief of internal security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as saying that security forces were examining the robbery, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He added that guards at the institution and other persons were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was established in 1919, houses the significant historical artifacts in Syria.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from Palmyra, a significant cultural centres of the ancient world; and a ancient religious building that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the beginning of the internal strife. The majority of the artifacts was removed and stored at undisclosed sites to protect them.
It reopened partially in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, a month after opposition groups overthrew the Assad regime.
Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The militant faction blew up numerous ancient buildings and other structures at the archaeological site, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a war crime.
Many cultural items were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.
