Historic Artifacts Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable artifacts and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.
The theft was found on the start of the week, when museum workers reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the interior.
The multiple stolen statues were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, an authority informed the news agency.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to establish the "events surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that measures had been enacted to strengthen protection and surveillance.
The head of national security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".
He noted that guards at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the significant cultural treasures in Syria.
It features historical records tracing back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from historical site, among the foremost historical locations of the historical period; and a ancient Jewish temple that was built at Dura Europos.
The institution was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. The majority of the holdings was transferred and stored at secret locations to safeguard them.
It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, a month after opposition groups overthrew Syria's former leader.
Every one of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were harmed or partly ruined during the civil war.
The Islamic State group blew up numerous religious structures and additional edifices at Palmyra, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities censured the damage as a war crime.
Countless cultural items were also damaged or looted from dig sites and museums.