Authorities in Syria are investigating a burglary at the National Museum of Damascus, after ancient gold bars were stolen overnight from Sunday to Monday, sources told AFP.

According to museum officials and security sources, the thieves targeted the museum’s “classical” wing — one of its most valuable sections — which features Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine treasures from major archaeological sites across Syria.

“Six pieces were stolen from the classical section,”
said a source close to the museum’s management.
“They were gold bars, though the exact historical period has not yet been determined.”

A security source confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details.

Museum Closed Amid Investigation

The National Museum of Damascus, which miraculously escaped major damage during Syria’s long civil war (2011–2024), houses irreplaceable artifacts from the country’s ancient and modern heritage.

When contacted by AFP, museum officials refused to comment, saying only that:

“The museum is closed for security reasons and will reopen next week,”
according to an unnamed official.

The Syrian authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the theft.

However, another security source told AFP that several employees and guards were detained and questioned following the burglary before being released.

A senior official from the Directorate of Syrian Museums, speaking anonymously, said that staff have been barred from entering exhibit halls since the incident, as investigations continue.

Calm Outside, Questions Inside

AFP journalists who visited the museum on Tuesday — a day it is normally closed — reported a calm atmosphere outside the building. However, access to the interior remains strictly prohibited.