Ancient Sculptures Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic sculptures and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when employees apparently found that a doorway had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen taken sculptures were made of marble and traced back to the Roman period, one official told the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "events surrounding the disappearance of a group of exhibits", and that actions had been implemented to enhance security and surveillance.
The director of domestic security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that security forces were probing the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He noted that museum protectors at the museum and other persons were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, holds the most important cultural treasures in the country.
It features clay cuneiform tablets originating to the ancient era from historical site, where proof of the most ancient writing system was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, among the foremost cultural centres of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at another archaeological site.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the start of the devastating civil war. Most of the holdings was transferred and preserved at secure places to protect them.
It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, a month after rebel forces deposed the Assad regime.
All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The militant faction destroyed multiple temples and additional edifices at the ancient city, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a atrocity.
Numerous historical objects were also lost or taken from dig sites and collections.
