Ancient Artifacts Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable artifacts and additional items have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The theft was discovered on Monday, when staff apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The multiple taken pieces were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, a source informed the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to determine the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a group of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to improve safeguarding and surveillance.
The head of internal security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that authorities were investigating the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He continued that museum protectors at the museum and other individuals were being questioned.
The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, holds the primary historical artifacts in the country.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where proof of the most ancient linguistic system was discovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important historical locations of the ancient world; and a ancient religious building that was constructed at an ancient location.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the start of the devastating civil war. The majority of the artifacts was removed and kept at secret locations to protect them.
It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, four weeks after opposition groups removed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The Islamic State group blew up multiple religious structures and other structures at the archaeological site, asserting that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization censured the damage as a atrocity.
Numerous artefacts were also lost or looted from archaeological sites and museums.
