The stolen statues are part of a collection showcasing Syria's archaeological and artistic heritage. According to the New York Times, we are talking about statues from the Roman era – the oldest and most valuable artifacts in the museum's collection.
According to agency sources at the museum, the thief broke a glass display case and allegedly remained inside the building until the evening.
Law enforcement officers are looking for the thieves and questioning museum security guards.
The museum said the theft, which was discovered on November 10, is a blow to Syria's cultural heritage, which has been plagued by looting and illegal removal of artifacts despite a UNESCO warning.
The Damascus National Museum, founded in 1919, closed in 2012 due to fighting. It partially opened in 2018, and fully resumed work in January 2025, a month after the overthrow of the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
