Ancient Sculptures Taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus
Ancient statues and other artefacts have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report.
The theft was found on the start of the week, when employees allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.
The six stolen statues were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, an authority informed the media outlet.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to identify the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a collection of items", and that measures had been implemented to improve protection and surveillance.
The chief of national security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as saying that authorities were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He continued that security personnel at the institution and other individuals were being interrogated.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, houses the primary archaeological collection in the country.
It features clay cuneiform tablets originating to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the oldest known complete alphabet was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the historical period; and a ancient religious building that was established at another archaeological site.
The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the start of the internal strife. Most of the artifacts was transferred and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in early this year, four weeks after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partly ruined during the internal struggle.
The IS organization blew up multiple temples and historical sites at Palmyra, asserting that they were against their beliefs. Unesco censured the demolition as a war crime.
Many historical objects were also lost or taken from dig sites and museums.
