Ancient Sculptures Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.
The theft was found on the start of the week, when employees apparently found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen missing pieces were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, one official stated to the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a group of items", and that steps had been implemented to enhance protection and surveillance.
The head of national security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that authorities were examining the theft, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He added that museum protectors at the museum and other individuals were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, houses the primary cultural treasures in the country.
It contains clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where indications of the earliest complete alphabet was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the historical period; and a third century Jewish temple that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the holdings was removed and stored at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, four weeks after opposition groups removed the Assad regime.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.
The Islamic State group destroyed numerous ancient buildings and other structures at the ancient city, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also destroyed or taken from archaeological sites and collections.
