Ancient Sculptures Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus

Historic statues and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report.

The robbery was discovered on Monday, when staff reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.

The multiple stolen statues were marble creations and dated back to the Roman period, one official informed the news agency.

Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to determine the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a group of items", and that actions had been implemented to strengthen security and surveillance.

The director of internal security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that law enforcement were examining the robbery, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".

He continued that museum protectors at the facility and other individuals were being questioned.

The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, houses the significant cultural treasures in Syria.

It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where proof of the oldest known writing system was found; Greco-Roman period classical statues from historical site, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a third century synagogue that was constructed at another archaeological site.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at secure places to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in January 2025, one month after rebel forces deposed the Assad regime.

Each of the six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or partly ruined during the civil war.

The IS organization demolished multiple temples and additional edifices at the archaeological site, stating that they were un-Islamic. Unesco condemned the demolition as a atrocity.

Many artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from archaeological sites and museums.