Valuable Statues Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The theft was discovered on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.
The multiple stolen pieces were crafted from marble and dated back to the Roman era, one official told the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the loss of a group of exhibits", and that measures had been taken to improve security and surveillance.
The chief of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as stating that authorities were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".
He continued that museum protectors at the institution and other individuals were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was created in 1919, contains the most important historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where evidence of the oldest known complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE classical statues from Palmyra, one of the most important cultural centres of the historical period; and a ancient religious building that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the internal strife. The majority of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at secure places to protect them.
It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, one month after opposition groups deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partly ruined during the internal struggle.
The militant faction destroyed several ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the damage as a violation.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or looted from historical locations and museums.
