Thieves Steal Ancient Roman-Era Statues from National Museum in Syria
The National Museum of Damascus was targeted by thieves who stole several ancient statues dating back to the Roman era, according to officials.
DAMASCUS: Thieves broke into the national museum in the Syrian capital and stole several ancient statues dating back to the Roman era, officials stated on Tuesday.
The National Museum of Damascus temporarily closed following the discovery of the heist early Monday.
The museum had reopened in January as Syria grapples with the aftermath of a 14-year civil war and the fall of the Assad family's rule last year.
The museum, situated in central Damascus and serving as the country’s largest, houses invaluable antiquities spanning Syria’s extensive history.
Enhanced security measures were implemented after the onset of the war, including metal gates and surveillance cameras.
An official from Syria’s Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums informed The Associated Press that six marble statues were among the stolen items, with an ongoing investigation underway.
Another official revealed to AP that the theft transpired on Sunday night, coming to light early Monday when a broken door in the classical department indicated the absence of several Roman-era statues.
This individual refrained from specifying an exact number.
Both officials spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the government's lack of an official statement about the incident.
On Tuesday morning, an AP journalist attempted to enter the museum but was deterred by security guards who claimed it was closed, declining further questions regarding the theft.
The department from which the statues were reportedly stolen is described as ‘a beautiful and historically-rich section featuring artifacts dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods,’ according to Maamoun Abdulkarim, the former head of the government’s antiquities and museums department.
Following the rebels' ousting of President Bashar Assad in January, the museum reopened on January 8th, marking a new chapter for Syria.
Fearing potential looting, the museum closed after the rapid military campaign that ended five decades of Assad family rule.
Since the conflict erupted in March 2011, authorities have relocated numerous priceless artifacts to Damascus from various regions within the country, including Palmyra, a historic town once controlled by members of the Daesh group.
In 2015, ISIS members destroyed mausoleums at Palmyra's UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its 2,000-year-old Roman colonnades and other invaluable ruins.
The National Museum of Damascus temporarily closed following the discovery of the heist early Monday.
The museum had reopened in January as Syria grapples with the aftermath of a 14-year civil war and the fall of the Assad family's rule last year.
The museum, situated in central Damascus and serving as the country’s largest, houses invaluable antiquities spanning Syria’s extensive history.
Enhanced security measures were implemented after the onset of the war, including metal gates and surveillance cameras.
An official from Syria’s Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums informed The Associated Press that six marble statues were among the stolen items, with an ongoing investigation underway.
Another official revealed to AP that the theft transpired on Sunday night, coming to light early Monday when a broken door in the classical department indicated the absence of several Roman-era statues.
This individual refrained from specifying an exact number.
Both officials spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the government's lack of an official statement about the incident.
On Tuesday morning, an AP journalist attempted to enter the museum but was deterred by security guards who claimed it was closed, declining further questions regarding the theft.
The department from which the statues were reportedly stolen is described as ‘a beautiful and historically-rich section featuring artifacts dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods,’ according to Maamoun Abdulkarim, the former head of the government’s antiquities and museums department.
Following the rebels' ousting of President Bashar Assad in January, the museum reopened on January 8th, marking a new chapter for Syria.
Fearing potential looting, the museum closed after the rapid military campaign that ended five decades of Assad family rule.
Since the conflict erupted in March 2011, authorities have relocated numerous priceless artifacts to Damascus from various regions within the country, including Palmyra, a historic town once controlled by members of the Daesh group.
In 2015, ISIS members destroyed mausoleums at Palmyra's UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its 2,000-year-old Roman colonnades and other invaluable ruins.