The Syrian National Museum in Damascus has reported the theft of six ancient gold statues in a daring overnight break-in earlier this week, according to officials and security sources.
The robbery, which occured between Sunday night and early Monday morning, targeted the museum’s classical antiquities wing — a section that houses some of Syria’s most valuable archaeological treasures from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
A security source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the stolen items were “gold casts,” describing them as delicate, high-value artifacts that had been on public display until the heist. As of now, no official statement has been issued by Syrian authorities.
Museum officials have remained tight-lipped about the incident. When contacted for comment, a senior staff member declined to provide details, saying only that the museum “is closed for security reasons and will reopen next week.”
Another source within the Syrian museum administration said that security forces have barred staff from entering the exhibition halls since the theft. Several guards and employees were reportedly detained for questioning on Monday but were released later that day.
The Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums had only reopened the museum on 8 January 2025, after years of closure during the turmoil following the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. At the reopening, officials proudly stated that “no violations or thefts had occurred” during the closure period.
The Syrian government has yet to issue an official statement or provide updates on the ongoing investigation.
Main Image: The entrance of the National Museum in Damascus