Historic Sculptures Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The robbery was found on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen stolen pieces were made of marble and dated back to the Roman period, one official told the news agency.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a collection of exhibits", and that actions had been implemented to strengthen safeguarding and surveillance.
The chief of national security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as declaring that law enforcement were probing the incident, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He added that guards at the museum and other individuals were being interrogated.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the significant archaeological collection in the country.
It contains historical records originating to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where indications of the most ancient complete alphabet was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at an ancient location.
The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the start of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the collection was evacuated and stored at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, one month after insurgents deposed the Assad regime.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partly ruined during the internal struggle.
The IS organization destroyed numerous religious structures and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also destroyed or taken from archaeological sites and museums.
