Ancient Artifacts Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was found on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside.
The half-dozen stolen statues were marble creations and traced back to the Roman era, one official told the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to establish the "events surrounding the theft of a collection of items", and that steps had been implemented to improve protection and surveillance.
The director of national security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as saying that authorities were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".
He added that museum protectors at the institution and additional people were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the most important cultural treasures in the country.
It contains historical records originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where indications of the earliest complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, among the foremost historical locations of the ancient world; and a ancient synagogue that was built at Dura Europos.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the start of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was transferred and kept at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, a month after insurgents removed Syria's former leader.
All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.
The IS organization blew up numerous ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the destruction as a atrocity.
Numerous artefacts were also lost or stolen from dig sites and cultural institutions.
