In a brazen heist, thieves broke into the National Museum of Damascus and stole several ancient marble statues dating back to the Roman era, according to officials. The theft was discovered early Monday, prompting the temporary closure of the country’s largest museum.
An official from Syria’s Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums confirmed that six marble statues were stolen and that an investigation is ongoing.
The museum, a repository of invaluable antiquities charting Syria’s long history, had only reopened to the public in January. Its reopening was seen as a symbolic step as the nation continues to reel from a devastating 14-year civil war, which saw the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last year.
Located in central Damascus, the museum had significantly bolstered its security measures after the conflict began in March 2011, installing metal gates and surveillance cameras to protect its collections. The war had previously forced authorities to undertake massive efforts to safeguard Syria’s cultural heritage, moving hundreds of priceless artifacts to the capital for safekeeping. These efforts included retrieving items from regions once held by extremist groups, such as the historic central town of Palmira, which was occupied by members of the Islamic State.
The break-in represents a significant blow to Syria’s efforts to reclaim and preserve its cultural legacy in the wake of prolonged conflict. The investigation into the theft continues.
