Ancient Sculptures Taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus

Historic artifacts and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.

The burglary was noticed on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that an entrance had been broken from the interior.

The multiple stolen statues were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the Associated Press.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a group of items", and that actions had been taken to enhance safeguarding and surveillance.

The head of national security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as stating that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and unique items".

He added that guards at the facility and other individuals were being interrogated.

The National Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the most important archaeological collection in Syria.

It includes ancient inscribed tablets originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the most ancient writing system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period classical statues from historical site, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was built at Dura Europos.

The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the internal strife. A large portion of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.

It partially resumed in recent years and completely reopened in January 2025, four weeks after insurgents overthrew the Assad regime.

Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or significantly impacted during the conflict.

The Islamic State group blew up numerous temples and other structures at the archaeological site, asserting that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a atrocity.

Numerous artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from dig sites and cultural institutions.