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Security Force Inspects Homs’ Historic Zahrawi Palace Following Report of Antiquities Theft
Eyewitnesses from the Hamidiyeh neighborhood in Homs said that police and security personnel, accompanied by the neighborhood representative, carried out an inspection of the historic Zahrawi Palace on Monday. The visit followed a report issued by the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums on Sunday evening.
The witnesses said the force entered the palace through its rear entrance while the main entrance remained closed. The inspection lasted about two hours.
Residents suggested that the inspection may have included the archaeological burial area inside the palace. It followed a report by *Zaman al-Wasl* newspaper about illegal excavation work, the discovery of bones dating to the Byzantine era, and possible damage to the site.
No official information has yet been released about the measures taken during the inspection, whether it produced any findings, or whether further violations were discovered.
The visit came after the Directorate-General’s report, amid calls for an investigation to establish what happened inside the palace, assess the condition of the archaeological burial area, and hold accountable anyone found to have committed violations.
