Valuable Sculptures Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The burglary was discovered on Monday, when employees apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The half-dozen taken pieces were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, an authority told the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been enacted to strengthen safeguarding and surveillance.
The chief of national security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as saying that law enforcement were examining the theft, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He continued that guards at the museum and additional people were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, contains the significant cultural treasures in Syria.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the most ancient writing system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from Palmyra, one of the most important cultural centres of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the start of the devastating civil war. The majority of the collection was removed and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents deposed the Assad regime.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partly ruined during the conflict.
The IS organization destroyed multiple ancient buildings and additional edifices at the archaeological site, stating that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization censured the damage as a violation.
Numerous cultural items were also damaged or taken from archaeological sites and museums.
