Overview
- The break-in occurred overnight Sunday and was discovered Monday when a door to the classical wing was found broken.
- An AFP-sourced official now says six small Roman-era statues of the goddess Venus were taken, after earlier conflicting reports about gold ingots.
- Damascus police chief Osama Atkeh confirmed statues and rare collectibles were stolen, with an investigation underway.
- Authorities have questioned guards and staff, the museum remains temporarily closed, and a guard told AFP there will be no tourist visits until next week.
- Officials say an item-by-item inventory is in progress as Syria’s cultural institutions tighten security following years of war and recent political upheaval.