Ancient Statues Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient statues and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The burglary was noticed on Monday, when staff reportedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.
The multiple taken statues were crafted from marble and traced back to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to establish the "events surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that actions had been enacted to enhance safeguarding and observation methods.
The chief of internal security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that authorities were probing the theft, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He continued that guards at the facility and additional people were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the significant archaeological collection in the country.
It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where proof of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, among the foremost ancient sites of the historical period; and a third century synagogue that was built at an ancient location.
The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. The majority of the artifacts was transferred and preserved at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, one month after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The IS organization destroyed several religious structures and additional edifices at the archaeological site, asserting that they were idolatrous. Unesco denounced the damage as a violation.
Numerous historical objects were also damaged or looted from historical locations and museums.
