Ancient Artifacts Taken from the National Museum in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was found on the start of the week, when employees apparently found that an entrance had been broken from the inside.
The six taken pieces were crafted from marble and traced back to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been taken to improve security and surveillance.
The chief of national security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were investigating the incident, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He added that security personnel at the facility and additional people were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, houses the significant cultural treasures in the country.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where evidence of the most ancient linguistic system was found; Greco-Roman period classical statues from historical site, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was established at Dura Europos.
The institution was forced to close in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was removed and preserved at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The militant faction destroyed several temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, asserting that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization denounced the damage as a violation.
Numerous historical objects were also destroyed or stolen from dig sites and museums.