Valuable Statues Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable sculptures and additional items have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when employees allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The half-dozen taken sculptures were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, a source stated to the media outlet.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "details surrounding the theft of a collection of exhibits", and that measures had been taken to enhance security and surveillance.
The head of internal security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as declaring that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He added that museum protectors at the facility and additional people were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was created in 1919, contains the most important archaeological collection in the country.
It contains historical records dating back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where evidence of the oldest known complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, among the foremost historical locations of the ancient world; and a ancient synagogue that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the start of the devastating civil war. Most of the artifacts was transferred and kept at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces deposed the Assad regime.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.
The Islamic State group destroyed several religious structures and other structures at the archaeological site, asserting that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a war crime.
Countless historical objects were also destroyed or taken from historical locations and collections.
