Valuable Statues Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic sculptures and cultural objects have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.
The robbery was found on the start of the week, when employees apparently found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.
The half-dozen taken pieces were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, one official stated to the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a number of items", and that steps had been enacted to enhance security and observation methods.
The director of internal security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that authorities were investigating the robbery, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He noted that guards at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was established in 1919, houses the most important archaeological collection in the country.
It features historical records tracing back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where proof of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important historical locations of the historical period; and a third century Jewish temple that was constructed at an ancient location.
The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the collection was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.
It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, one month after opposition groups deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The militant faction blew up multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization censured the destruction as a violation.
Numerous artefacts were also lost or looted from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.
