Valuable Sculptures Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The theft was found on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been damaged from the interior.
The six missing statues were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, an authority told the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to establish the "events surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to improve safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The director of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He noted that guards at the institution and other individuals were being questioned.
The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, houses the significant cultural treasures in Syria.
It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where indications of the most ancient linguistic system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from historical site, among the foremost historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the holdings was transferred and preserved at secure places to safeguard them.
It reopened partially in 2018 and completely reopened in early this year, four weeks after opposition groups overthrew Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The IS organization blew up several ancient buildings and other structures at the archaeological site, asserting that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a violation.
Numerous cultural items were also damaged or taken from dig sites and cultural institutions.
