Ancient Artifacts Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient statues and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The burglary was noticed on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that an entrance had been damaged from the inside.
The multiple taken sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the Roman era, one official stated to the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of items", and that actions had been taken to improve protection and surveillance.
The chief of national security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as stating that law enforcement were probing the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He continued that guards at the facility and other individuals were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, holds the significant historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes historical records dating back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was found; Greco-Roman period classical statues from Palmyra, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient religious building that was constructed at an ancient location.
The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was transferred and preserved at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, four weeks after insurgents overthrew the Assad regime.
All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The Islamic State group blew up several temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, claiming that they were un-Islamic. International authorities censured the demolition as a atrocity.
Numerous historical objects were also destroyed or looted from archaeological sites and museums.
