Valuable Sculptures Removed from the National Museum in Damascus

Historic sculptures and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.

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

The six missing sculptures were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, a source informed the Associated Press.

Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of artifacts", and that measures had been taken to improve protection and observation methods.

The chief of national security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as declaring that security forces were investigating the robbery, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".

He continued that security personnel at the facility and additional people were being interrogated.

The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, houses the primary cultural treasures in Syria.

It includes ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the earliest complete alphabet was uncovered; Greco-Roman period classical statues from Palmyra, among the foremost historical locations of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was established at an ancient location.

The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, a year after the start of the internal strife. A large portion of the holdings was transferred and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partly ruined during the civil war.

The Islamic State group destroyed several ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization denounced the damage as a atrocity.

Countless historical objects were also destroyed or stolen from historical locations and museums.