🔗 Share this article Valuable Statues Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus The National Museum reopened fully in the first month of 2025, a month after the overthrow of the Assad government. Ancient statues and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report. The burglary was noticed on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside. The six taken sculptures were marble creations and originated to the ancient Roman times, a source informed the media outlet. The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to determine the "events surrounding the theft of a group of artifacts", and that measures had been taken to enhance safeguarding and monitoring systems. The chief of internal security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as saying that law enforcement were probing the theft, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items". He continued that guards at the facility and other individuals were being questioned. The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, contains the most important historical artifacts in the country. It features clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where indications of the earliest complete alphabet was discovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, a significant cultural centres of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was built at Dura Europos. The institution was forced to close in 2012, a year after the start of the devastating civil war. The majority of the artifacts was transferred and kept at secure places to ensure their safety. It began limited operations in recent years and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents overthrew the Assad regime. All six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partially destroyed during the conflict. The militant faction demolished several ancient buildings and additional edifices at Palmyra, stating that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization denounced the destruction as a war crime. Many artefacts were also lost or taken from historical locations and museums.