Valuable Statues Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The burglary was found on the start of the week, when employees allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The half-dozen missing statues were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, a source informed the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "details surrounding the loss of a collection of exhibits", and that actions had been enacted to improve safeguarding and observation methods.
The head of internal security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as saying that law enforcement were investigating the robbery, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He added that museum protectors at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was established in 1919, holds the primary historical artifacts in the country.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where evidence of the oldest known linguistic system was found; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was established at another archaeological site.
The museum was forced to close in the early 2010s, a year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the artifacts was removed and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, a month after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The Islamic State group blew up numerous temples and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization censured the destruction as a war crime.
Many historical objects were also destroyed or looted from archaeological sites and collections.
