Valuable Sculptures Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was discovered on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen missing pieces were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, one official told the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a collection of exhibits", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen protection and observation methods.
The chief of national security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that security forces were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".
He noted that museum protectors at the institution and other individuals were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the significant historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the earliest writing system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, one of the most important ancient sites of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was built at Dura Europos.
The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the holdings was transferred and stored at undisclosed sites to protect them.
It reopened partially in 2018 and returned to normal in January 2025, one month after opposition groups deposed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partly ruined during the civil war.
The militant faction destroyed several ancient buildings and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were idolatrous. Unesco censured the demolition as a violation.
Many artefacts were also lost or looted from archaeological sites and collections.
