Historic Artifacts Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.
The theft was discovered on Monday, when staff reportedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.
The multiple missing pieces were crafted from marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "details surrounding the disappearance of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been implemented to improve safeguarding and surveillance.
The director of domestic security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as saying that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He added that security personnel at the museum and additional people were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the primary cultural treasures in Syria.
It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where proof of the oldest known linguistic system was found; early centuries CE classical statues from the ancient city, one of the most important historical locations of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at an ancient location.
The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was removed and kept at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in recent years and returned to normal in January 2025, one month after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The IS organization destroyed numerous religious structures and historical sites at Palmyra, claiming that they were un-Islamic. International authorities condemned the destruction as a war crime.
Many historical objects were also damaged or stolen from dig sites and cultural institutions.
