Historic Statues Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient statues and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.
The burglary was discovered on the start of the week, when employees reportedly found that an entrance had been damaged from the inside.
The six missing pieces were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source informed the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to identify the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a collection of artifacts", and that measures had been implemented to improve security and surveillance.
The head of national security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as stating that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He added that security personnel at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was established in 1919, houses the primary cultural treasures in the country.
It features clay cuneiform tablets originating to the ancient era from historical site, where proof of the most ancient writing system was discovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, among the foremost cultural centres of the classical era; and a ancient Jewish temple that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the internal strife. A large portion of the artifacts was removed and stored at secure places to protect them.
It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, a month after rebel forces removed the Assad regime.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The militant faction blew up numerous ancient buildings and additional edifices at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the damage as a war crime.
Numerous cultural items were also destroyed or taken from historical locations and museums.
