Historic Sculptures Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.
The burglary was found on the start of the week, when employees reportedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the interior.
The six taken pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman period, one official stated to the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to identify the "details surrounding the disappearance of a number of exhibits", and that actions had been taken to enhance safeguarding and observation methods.
The head of domestic security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that authorities were investigating the theft, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and unique items".
He added that guards at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was established in 1919, holds the significant cultural treasures in the country.
It features clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was built at Dura Europos.
The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. The majority of the holdings was transferred and kept at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, four weeks after insurgents removed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or partly ruined during the conflict.
The IS organization demolished several religious structures and other structures at the ancient city, claiming that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the demolition as a atrocity.
Numerous artefacts were also lost or stolen from dig sites and collections.
