Historic Statues Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.
The six stolen statues were crafted from marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, a source stated to the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to identify the "details surrounding the loss of a collection of exhibits", and that actions had been implemented to improve protection and surveillance.
The director of domestic security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as saying that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He continued that museum protectors at the museum and other individuals were being questioned.
The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, contains the most important historical artifacts in the country.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the most ancient writing system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a third century synagogue that was constructed at an ancient location.
The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the start of the internal strife. The majority of the holdings was transferred and preserved at undisclosed sites to protect them.
It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, a month after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were affected or partially destroyed during the civil war.
The IS organization demolished numerous religious structures and other structures at the archaeological site, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the destruction as a atrocity.
Many artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from historical locations and collections.
