Valuable Artifacts Taken from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic sculptures and additional items have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when employees reportedly found that an entrance had been forced from the inside.
The multiple missing sculptures were made of marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, an authority informed the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "events surrounding the disappearance of a group of exhibits", and that actions had been enacted to improve safeguarding and observation methods.
The chief of domestic security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as declaring that security forces were probing the incident, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and unique items".
He noted that museum protectors at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, contains the primary cultural treasures in Syria.
It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the oldest known writing system was found; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was built at an ancient location.
The institution was forced to close in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the collection was evacuated and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in recent years and completely reopened in January 2025, four weeks after insurgents removed Syria's former leader.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partly ruined during the internal struggle.
The Islamic State group demolished numerous ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, asserting that they were idolatrous. Unesco denounced the destruction as a atrocity.
Numerous artefacts were also lost or stolen from historical locations and museums.