Historic Artifacts Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and additional items have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.
The robbery was noticed on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen stolen statues were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the theft of a number of items", and that actions had been implemented to improve safeguarding and surveillance.
The head of national security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that security forces were probing the theft, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He continued that security personnel at the museum and other individuals were being questioned.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the primary historical artifacts in Syria.
It features clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where indications of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, a significant cultural centres of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The facility was forced to close in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the internal strife. A large portion of the holdings was removed and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after rebel forces removed the Assad regime.
All six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The militant faction destroyed multiple temples and additional edifices at the archaeological site, claiming that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the destruction as a war crime.
Many artefacts were also lost or stolen from historical locations and collections.
