Historic Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The theft was discovered on Monday, when museum workers apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the interior.
The six stolen sculptures were crafted from marble and traced back to the Roman era, an authority told the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a number of items", and that steps had been taken to enhance protection and observation methods.
The head of national security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that authorities were probing the incident, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He added that guards at the facility and additional people were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the most important archaeological collection in Syria.
It features historical records tracing back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the earliest complete alphabet was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the holdings was removed and kept at secure places to protect them.
It partially resumed in recent years and returned to normal in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The militant faction destroyed several ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, asserting that they were against their beliefs. International authorities denounced the damage as a violation.
Many historical objects were also damaged or taken from archaeological sites and museums.
