Ancient Artifacts Taken from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and other artefacts have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.
The burglary was discovered on Monday, when museum workers apparently found that a doorway had been damaged from the interior.
The half-dozen taken statues were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, one official told the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to enhance security and observation methods.
The chief of domestic security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as saying that authorities were probing the incident, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He continued that security personnel at the institution and additional people were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, contains the primary historical artifacts in Syria.
It contains historical records tracing back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where indications of the most ancient linguistic system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, a significant historical locations of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the beginning of the internal strife. A large portion of the artifacts was transferred and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The Islamic State group blew up numerous ancient buildings and other structures at the ancient city, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco denounced the damage as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or stolen from historical locations and museums.
