🔗 Share this article

Historic statues and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.

The robbery was found on Monday, when museum workers apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the interior.

The half-dozen missing pieces were marble creations and traced back to the Roman era, a source told the news agency.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to determine the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a group of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to enhance security and surveillance.

The director of national security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that authorities were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".

He continued that museum protectors at the museum and other persons were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the significant historical artifacts in the country.

It features historical records tracing back to the ancient era from historical site, where proof of the earliest writing system was discovered; Greco-Roman period classical statues from Palmyra, a significant cultural centres of the ancient world; and a ancient Jewish temple that was constructed at another archaeological site.

The facility was forced to close in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. The majority of the artifacts was removed and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partly ruined during the internal struggle.

The Islamic State group demolished numerous ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were un-Islamic. Unesco denounced the demolition as a atrocity.

Countless artefacts were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.