Valuable Artifacts Stolen from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The robbery was discovered on Monday, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen missing pieces were marble creations and traced back to the Roman era, an authority informed the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to establish the "details surrounding the theft of a group of artifacts", and that steps had been implemented to enhance security and observation methods.
The chief of internal security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He added that museum protectors at the institution and other persons were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the primary cultural treasures in the country.
It features ancient inscribed tablets originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the oldest known writing system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, one of the most important historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was built at an ancient location.
The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the start of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the holdings was transferred and stored at secure places to safeguard them.
It reopened partially 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 affected or partially destroyed during the civil war.
The Islamic State group destroyed several temples and other structures at the ancient city, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco denounced the demolition as a war crime.
Numerous historical objects were also damaged or stolen from dig sites and collections.
