Ancient Statues Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic sculptures and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The burglary was discovered on Monday, when employees allegedly found that an entrance had been damaged from the interior.
The multiple taken statues were made of marble and dated back to the Roman era, an authority stated to the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "details surrounding the loss of a collection of exhibits", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen protection and observation methods.
The head of internal security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that security forces were probing the theft, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He noted that museum protectors at the museum and other individuals were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the primary cultural treasures in the country.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets originating to the ancient era from Ugarit, where indications of the most ancient writing system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at an ancient location.
The museum was forced to close in the early 2010s, one year after the start of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.
It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, four weeks after opposition groups removed Syria's former leader.
All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the civil war.
The Islamic State group blew up several temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities denounced the damage as a war crime.
Many historical objects were also lost or taken from historical locations and collections.
