Historic Sculptures Taken from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.
The robbery was discovered on Monday, when employees reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.
The half-dozen taken sculptures were made of marble and dated back to the Roman period, an authority stated to the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to determine the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been implemented to improve protection and surveillance.
The head of internal security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that law enforcement were probing the robbery, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".
He continued that guards at the facility and additional people were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the significant cultural treasures in the country.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the oldest known writing system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from historical site, one of the most important ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was established at Dura Europos.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the collection was transferred and stored at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, a month after rebel forces deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partly ruined during the civil war.
The militant faction blew up several temples and other structures at Palmyra, stating that they were idolatrous. Unesco condemned the demolition as a atrocity.
Countless cultural items were also destroyed or taken from historical locations and collections.
