Ancient Artifacts Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and additional items have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report.
The theft was discovered on Monday, when employees apparently found that an entrance had been forced from the inside.
The multiple stolen statues were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to establish the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a number of artifacts", and that measures had been implemented to strengthen security and surveillance.
The director of domestic security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that authorities were investigating the theft, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He continued that security personnel at the institution and additional people were being interrogated.
The Damascus Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, houses the significant historical artifacts in the country.
It includes historical records originating to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the start of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the holdings was transferred and stored at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The militant faction blew up multiple religious structures and additional edifices at the archaeological site, asserting that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization denounced the destruction as a war crime.
Many artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from archaeological sites and museums.
