Thieves Steal 6 Roman-Era Statues in Urgent Heist at Damascus Museum

BREAKING: Thieves have stolen six valuable Roman-era statues from the National Museum of Damascus, as reported by the Associated Press. The theft occurred early on November 10, when museum staff discovered the broken door to the classical department, signaling a brazen heist that has shocked the cultural community.

This urgent incident comes at a critical time for Syria, which is struggling to recover from a devastating civil war and the long-standing dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad. The museum, the largest in Syria, has faced numerous challenges since the outbreak of civil war in 2011, including a six-year closure and renewed threats following Assad’s regime’s recent turmoil.

Authorities confirm that an investigation is currently underway. The theft not only involved the statues but also gold ingots of unspecified origin, indicating a well-planned operation. Experts are speculating that the heist may have been an inside job, as suggested by Adnan Almohamad, an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck College. He stated, “It appears that the operation was carried out by individuals with good knowledge of the Damascus Museum and the vulnerabilities that Syrian museums have faced for many years.”

The museum’s collection spans over 11,000 years of Syrian history, featuring antiquities from prehistoric, Byzantine, and Islamic art. Almohamad noted that the stolen items were taken from the exhibition hall, where documentation is robust, potentially making illicit sales more challenging.

In a troubling parallel, Almohamad recalled a similar theft of 13 items from a national museum in Deir ez-Zor in 2010, where a museum staff member was implicated. The current situation raises alarms about the security of cultural heritage in a country still grappling with instability.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities are under pressure to recover the stolen artifacts and enhance security measures at museums across Syria. The global community is watching closely, as the ramifications of this theft extend beyond national borders, highlighting the ongoing plight to protect cultural heritage in conflict zones.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.