Valuable Statues Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The burglary was found on Monday, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen stolen statues were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, one official told the news agency.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of items", and that steps had been implemented to enhance protection and observation methods.
The director of national security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as saying that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He added that museum protectors at the institution and additional people were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, contains the primary cultural treasures in Syria.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, a significant cultural centres of the historical period; and a third century Jewish temple that was built at another archaeological site.
The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the start of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the holdings was removed and preserved at secure places to protect them.
It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after insurgents overthrew the Assad regime.
All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partly ruined during the conflict.
The Islamic State group destroyed several ancient buildings and historical sites at the archaeological site, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities denounced the damage as a violation.
Countless historical objects were also damaged or looted from historical locations and collections.
