Ancient Statues Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable artifacts and cultural objects have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The theft was discovered on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.
The six taken statues were made of marble and traced back to the Roman period, a source stated to the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that steps had been implemented to strengthen protection and monitoring systems.
The head of national security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that authorities were investigating the robbery, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He continued that security personnel at the facility and other persons were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the primary archaeological collection in Syria.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where proof of the most ancient complete alphabet was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world; and a ancient Jewish temple that was established at an ancient location.
The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. The majority of the collection was evacuated and stored at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after rebel forces removed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The Islamic State group demolished numerous ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco condemned the demolition as a violation.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or taken from historical locations and collections.
