Historic Sculptures Removed from the National Museum in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been broken from the interior.
The six missing statues were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, an authority stated to the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to enhance security and monitoring systems.
The chief of domestic security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He noted that security personnel at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was established in 1919, holds the most important archaeological collection in Syria.
It features historical records tracing back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where indications of the most ancient writing system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, among the foremost historical locations of the ancient world; and a third century religious building that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The facility was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the artifacts was removed and stored at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, a month after rebel forces removed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The IS organization blew up multiple religious structures and additional edifices at the archaeological site, asserting that they were un-Islamic. International authorities condemned the damage as a violation.
Numerous historical objects were also destroyed or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.