Tue Nov 11 17:45:18 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:

Summary:

The National Museum of Damascus, Syria, was robbed on Sunday night, November 9, 2025. Thieves made off with six marble statues dating back to the Roman era. The museum, reopened in January after the end of a 14-year civil war and the fall of the Assad regime, had improved security measures, but a door to the classical department was breached. Authorities are investigating, questioning guards and others, but details remain scarce. The Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums acknowledged the theft but did not specify what was taken. The incident raises concerns about the safety of Syria’s cultural heritage as the country recovers from years of conflict, during which sites like Palmyra suffered significant damage.

News Article:

Roman-Era Statues Stolen from National Museum of Damascus

DAMASCUS, Syria – November 11, 2025 – Thieves broke into the National Museum of Damascus over the weekend, making off with six priceless marble statues from the Roman era, officials confirmed Tuesday. The heist has prompted an investigation and renewed concerns about the security of Syria’s cultural heritage.

The theft, discovered early Monday morning, occurred in the museum’s classical department, with authorities finding a broken door. The museum, home to a vast collection of Syrian antiquities, had recently reopened in January following a 14-year civil war and the end of the Assad family’s 54-year rule. During the war, hundreds of artifacts were moved to Damascus for safekeeping.

While security measures, including metal gates and surveillance cameras, were in place, the perpetrators were able to bypass them. Damascus police chief Brig. Gen. Osama Atkeh told state news agency SANA that guards and others are being questioned.

The Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums has launched a full investigation. While confirming that “some exhibits” were missing, the agency did not provide specific details about the stolen items.

The incident follows years of conflict in Syria that severely damaged historical sites, including the destruction of ancient mausoleums in Palmyra by ISIS in 2015. The National Museum of Damascus had temporarily closed after the ouster of President Bashar Assad in December 2024 amid fears of looting.

Maamoun Abdulkarim, the former head of the government’s antiquities and museums department, described the affected section as a historically rich department with artifacts dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. The theft is a blow to the country’s efforts to preserve and showcase its rich cultural heritage as it emerges from years of turmoil.

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