Historic Sculptures Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic artifacts and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The theft was found on the start of the week, when museum workers allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the inside.
The half-dozen taken pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, an authority informed the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to identify the "details surrounding the loss of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been implemented to enhance security and surveillance.
The chief of domestic security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as stating that authorities were examining the theft, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".
He continued that guards at the museum and other individuals were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the primary historical artifacts in Syria.
It features historical records originating to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where proof of the oldest known writing system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from historical site, a significant cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at an ancient location.
The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the beginning of the internal strife. The majority of the artifacts was removed and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in 2018 and returned to normal in early this year, four weeks after opposition groups removed President Bashar al-Assad.
Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The IS organization demolished numerous religious structures and additional edifices at the ancient city, claiming that they were against their beliefs. Unesco condemned the destruction as a atrocity.
Numerous artefacts were also damaged or taken from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.
