Historic Sculptures Stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus

Museum Exterior
The Damascus Museum resumed complete operations in the first month of 2025, a month after the removal of President Bashar al-Assad.

Historic statues and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.

The robbery was found on the start of the week, when museum workers reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.

The multiple taken statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, an authority stated to the media outlet.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to determine the "details surrounding the loss of a group of items", and that steps had been implemented to strengthen protection and surveillance.

The chief of national security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as saying that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and unique items".

He added that museum protectors at the facility and other persons were being interviewed.

The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the most important historical artifacts in Syria.

It features historical records tracing back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where indications of the oldest known linguistic system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, a significant historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was established at Dura Europos.

The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the start of the internal strife. The majority of the collection was evacuated and preserved at secret locations to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in early this year, a month after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The IS organization blew up several religious structures and other structures at the archaeological site, stating that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a violation.

Countless historical objects were also lost or taken from historical locations and cultural institutions.

Vickie Lawrence
Vickie Lawrence

AI researcher and software engineer with a passion for demystifying complex technologies through accessible writing.