Valuable Statues Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable sculptures and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.
The robbery was found on Monday, when employees allegedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.
The six taken pieces were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, a source stated to the media outlet.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to establish the "details surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been taken to enhance security and surveillance.
The head of domestic security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that authorities were probing the theft, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".
He continued that security personnel at the museum and other individuals were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, holds the most important cultural treasures in Syria.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the earliest complete alphabet was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, a significant cultural centres of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was built at another archaeological site.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the start of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the holdings was transferred and stored at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, one month after insurgents deposed the Assad regime.
All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The Islamic State group blew up several temples and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the destruction as a atrocity.
Many artefacts were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.
