Ancient Sculptures Taken from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The theft was noticed on the start of the week, when museum workers allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The six taken pieces were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the news agency.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a number of exhibits", and that actions had been taken to improve security and observation methods.
The head of domestic security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as stating that security forces were investigating the incident, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and unique items".
He continued that security personnel at the institution and additional people were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the significant archaeological collection in Syria.
It contains historical records tracing back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where proof of the oldest known writing system was discovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, a significant cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the beginning of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to protect them.
It reopened partially in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, a month after rebel forces removed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The Islamic State group blew up several religious structures and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the destruction as a violation.
Numerous artefacts were also damaged or taken from dig sites and collections.
