Historic Artifacts Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and cultural objects have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The robbery was noticed on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that an entrance had been damaged from the inside.
The six missing sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the Roman period, an authority informed the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to establish the "events surrounding the theft of a number of items", and that steps had been taken to enhance security and observation methods.
The chief of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as stating that security forces were probing the robbery, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He noted that guards at the institution and other individuals were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, contains the most important archaeological collection in Syria.
It features historical records dating back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the oldest known writing system was discovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the start of the destructive conflict. The majority of the collection was removed and stored at secure places to protect them.
It reopened partially in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, a month after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partly ruined during the conflict.
The IS organization demolished multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, claiming that they were against their beliefs. International authorities denounced the destruction as a atrocity.
Numerous historical objects were also destroyed or looted from dig sites and museums.
