đź”— Share this article Ancient Statues Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus The National Museum resumed complete operations in the first month of this year, four weeks after the deposition of President Bashar al-Assad. Ancient statues and additional items have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report. The burglary was noticed on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been forced from the interior. The six missing statues were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, a source stated to the media outlet. Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to determine the "details surrounding the disappearance of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to strengthen protection and observation methods. The chief of domestic security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were probing the robbery, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and unique items". He added that security personnel at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed. The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the significant cultural treasures in Syria. It includes historical records originating to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where proof of the oldest known writing system was found; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important cultural centres of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was established at Dura Europos. The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, twelve months after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at secret locations to safeguard them. It partially resumed in 2018 and returned to normal in January 2025, one month after insurgents overthrew the Assad regime. Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict. The militant faction destroyed several temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities censured the demolition as a atrocity. Numerous cultural items were also damaged or taken from dig sites and museums.