Valuable Sculptures Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and additional items have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when employees allegedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the interior.
The multiple missing pieces were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, a source informed the media outlet.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to determine the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been enacted to enhance safeguarding and observation methods.
The head of domestic security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as declaring that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".
He added that security personnel at the facility and other persons were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the primary archaeological collection in Syria.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the earliest linguistic system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from Palmyra, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a third century Jewish temple that was built at Dura Europos.
The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the start of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the artifacts was removed and stored at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in 2018 and returned to normal in January 2025, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.
All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The militant faction blew up multiple temples and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were idolatrous. International authorities censured the demolition as a violation.
Numerous cultural items were also lost or looted from historical locations and cultural institutions.
