Valuable Artifacts Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable sculptures and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.
The half-dozen taken statues were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "details surrounding the loss of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to strengthen safeguarding and surveillance.
The director of domestic security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as saying that security forces were probing the robbery, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He noted that museum protectors at the museum and other individuals were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the significant archaeological collection in Syria.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where indications of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at another archaeological site.
The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was removed and stored at secure places to protect them.
It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in January 2025, four weeks after opposition groups removed the Assad regime.
All six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The Islamic State group destroyed multiple temples and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization denounced the destruction as a violation.
Countless historical objects were also destroyed or taken from dig sites and museums.
