Valuable Sculptures Taken from the National Museum in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.
The theft was noticed on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.
The multiple missing statues were crafted from marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source told the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to improve safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The head of national security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as declaring that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He noted that museum protectors at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, contains the most important archaeological collection in the country.
It includes historical records dating back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient linguistic system was discovered; Greco-Roman period classical statues from historical site, one of the most important cultural centres of the historical period; and a third century synagogue that was built at Dura Europos.
The facility was forced to close in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. Most of the collection was removed and stored at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in January 2025, one month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the civil war.
The Islamic State group destroyed several temples and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the demolition as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also lost or taken from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.
