Historic Sculptures Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The theft was found on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.
The six missing statues were crafted from marble and dated back to the Roman period, an authority stated to the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to establish the "details surrounding the disappearance of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been taken to improve protection and observation methods.
The head of national security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as stating that security forces were investigating the theft, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He added that security personnel at the institution and additional people were being questioned.
The National Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the significant cultural treasures in the country.
It contains historical records tracing back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where indications of the oldest known complete alphabet was discovered; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, a significant ancient sites of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the start of the destructive conflict. Most of the artifacts was transferred and kept at secret locations to safeguard them.
It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, one month after insurgents deposed the Assad regime.
Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partly ruined during the internal struggle.
The militant faction blew up multiple ancient buildings and other structures at the archaeological site, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities condemned the damage as a atrocity.
Numerous cultural items were also lost or taken from historical locations and cultural institutions.
