Valuable Sculptures Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The theft was found on Monday, when staff allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the interior.
The six stolen statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, one official told the news agency.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to identify the "events surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been implemented to improve security and monitoring systems.
The director of national security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that security forces were probing the incident, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and unique items".
He added that guards at the facility and other persons were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the most important cultural treasures in Syria.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where indications of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, among the foremost historical locations of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at an ancient location.
The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, twelve months after the start of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the collection was transferred and kept at secret locations to protect them.
It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in early this year, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The Islamic State group demolished several religious structures and other structures at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a violation.
Numerous cultural items were also lost or taken from historical locations and collections.
