Valuable Statues Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic sculptures and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.
The theft was found on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the inside.
The six missing pieces were made of marble and dated back to the Roman era, one official told the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the theft of a collection of items", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen protection and surveillance.
The director of internal security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as declaring that authorities were examining the incident, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and unique items".
He added that museum protectors at the facility and additional people were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the most important archaeological collection in Syria.
It features ancient inscribed tablets originating to the ancient era from historical site, where proof of the oldest known linguistic system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from the ancient city, a significant cultural centres of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at an ancient location.
The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the start of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was transferred and kept at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.
It began limited operations in recent years and returned to normal in January 2025, one month after opposition groups deposed the Assad regime.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The militant faction demolished several religious structures and other structures at the archaeological site, claiming that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the damage as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or looted from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.
