Historic Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The robbery was found on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the interior.
The half-dozen taken pieces were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that actions had been taken to strengthen security and observation methods.
The director of domestic security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that law enforcement were investigating the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".
He added that guards at the institution and other individuals were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the significant historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the ancient era from historical site, where proof of the oldest known writing system was found; early centuries CE classical statues from the ancient city, a significant historical locations of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was established at an ancient location.
The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the start of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was transferred and preserved at undisclosed sites to protect them.
It partially resumed in 2018 and resumed full operations in early this year, one month after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.
Every one of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The IS organization demolished multiple temples and other structures at the archaeological site, claiming that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization condemned the damage as a war crime.
Countless historical objects were also destroyed or stolen from dig sites and collections.
