Historic Sculptures Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus

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

The burglary was discovered on Monday, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.

The six stolen sculptures were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, one official told the media outlet.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a group of exhibits", and that measures had been taken to enhance safeguarding and observation methods.

The director of domestic security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the government press as stating that security forces were investigating the incident, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".

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

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

It includes historical records originating to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, among the foremost historical locations of the classical era; and a third century Jewish temple that was constructed at Dura Europos.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the start of the devastating civil war. Most of the collection was evacuated and stored at secure places to protect them.

It began limited operations in 2018 and returned to normal in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.

The IS organization demolished multiple religious structures and additional edifices at the archaeological site, claiming that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the destruction as a atrocity.

Countless artefacts were also lost or looted from archaeological sites and museums.