Ancient Sculptures Taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus
Historic sculptures and other artefacts have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The robbery was discovered on Monday, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The six missing pieces were crafted from marble and traced back to the Roman period, an authority stated to the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a group of items", and that actions had been implemented to strengthen protection and surveillance.
The chief of internal security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that law enforcement were probing the theft, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".
He noted that security personnel at the facility and other persons were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the significant archaeological collection in the country.
It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where proof of the earliest linguistic system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from historical site, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at an ancient location.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, a year after the start of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the artifacts was evacuated and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, four weeks after opposition groups deposed the Assad regime.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partly ruined during the internal struggle.
The militant faction blew up numerous ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, asserting that they were against their beliefs. Unesco denounced the demolition as a violation.
Countless artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from historical locations and cultural institutions.
