Ancient Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus

Historic artifacts and additional items have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.

The robbery was found on the start of the week, when employees apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the interior.

The multiple stolen pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman period, a source stated to the news agency.

Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to identify the "details surrounding the theft of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to enhance protection and surveillance.

The chief of internal security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as declaring that security forces were probing the robbery, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".

He added that museum protectors at the facility and other persons were being interrogated.

The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the significant archaeological collection in Syria.

It features ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where proof of the most ancient writing system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the historical period; and a third century religious building that was established at an ancient location.

The facility was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, one year after the start of the internal strife. A large portion of the artifacts was removed and kept at secret locations to protect them.

It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, four weeks after insurgents overthrew the Assad regime.

Every one of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partly ruined during the internal struggle.

The militant faction demolished numerous temples and additional edifices at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco denounced the damage as a war crime.

Countless cultural items were also lost or looted from historical locations and museums.