After Museum Heist, Syrian Cultural Authorities Face Scrutiny Over Lack of Transparency

"Syria's Ministry of Culture yesterday appeared to publish details of the artifacts stolen from the Damascus National Museum on Sunday, only to delete the brief statement several hours later. The now-removed post has intensified demands for transparency over what was stolen and how the investigation is proceeding. On Tuesday, international media reported that six Roman-era statues and several gold ingots had been stolen from the museum's classical department, citing anonymous sources."

"Around 8:30 p.m. Damascus time on Wednesday, the news outlet Syria Now published images on Facebook of six statues it claimed were the stolen artifacts. This claim appeared to be corroborated half an hour later, when the culture ministry posted a notice featuring the same nude marble statutes of the goddess Venus, along with their dimensions and catalogue numbers, appealing to the public for information. Within hours, however, the post was taken down."

"Established in 1919, the museum houses thousands of antiquities spanning from prehistory through the Roman and Byzantine eras. Security at the museum was reinforced at the onset of Syria's 14-year civil war and the later collapse of the 54-year Assad regime last December. The building closed for six years during the Syrian Civil War, and again on December 7, 2024, a day before rebels reached Damascus, spurring concerns of looting. The museum reopened this January."

Six Roman-era statues and several gold ingots were reported stolen from the Damascus National Museum's classical department, with initial reports citing anonymous sources. The Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums and the Ministry of Culture confirmed theft and an investigation but refused further details. Images of six statues were posted by a news outlet and a ministry notice listing the nude marble Venus statues, dimensions, and catalogue numbers appeared briefly before being deleted. Requests for comment to DGAM and the ministry went unanswered. The museum, established in 1919, closed during war and reopened in January amid renewed concerns over security deficiencies noted by UNESCO.

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