Ancient Sculptures Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and cultural objects have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, sources confirm.
The robbery was found on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.
The half-dozen missing pieces were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, one official stated to the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to determine the "events surrounding the loss of a group of exhibits", and that actions had been enacted to strengthen security and surveillance.
The chief of internal security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".
He noted that security personnel at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the significant cultural treasures in the country.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the earliest writing system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, a significant cultural centres of the ancient world; and a ancient synagogue that was built at an ancient location.
The institution was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the holdings was removed and stored at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in 2018 and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, a month after opposition groups deposed the Assad regime.
All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were harmed or partly ruined during the internal struggle.
The militant faction demolished several religious structures and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were un-Islamic. International authorities condemned the damage as a violation.
Countless artefacts were also destroyed or taken from dig sites and museums.