Historic Sculptures Removed from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic sculptures and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The burglary was found on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.
The six taken pieces were crafted from marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source told the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a number of items", and that steps had been implemented to enhance safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The chief of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as declaring that law enforcement were examining the theft, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".
He added that museum protectors at the facility and other persons were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, contains the primary cultural treasures in the country.
It includes historical records tracing back to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the earliest writing system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important historical locations of the ancient world; and a third century religious building that was built at an ancient location.
The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the start of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was transferred and stored at secure places to safeguard them.
It partially resumed in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, four weeks after opposition groups overthrew Syria's former leader.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The militant faction demolished several temples and other structures at the archaeological site, stating that they were un-Islamic. Unesco censured the destruction as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or taken from dig sites and collections.
