Valuable Sculptures Taken from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable statues and other artefacts have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The theft was noticed on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that an entrance had been broken from the inside.
The six missing statues were made of marble and traced back to the Roman era, a source stated to the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to establish the "events surrounding the loss of a number of artifacts", and that actions had been taken to strengthen protection and surveillance.
The head of domestic security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as stating that law enforcement were probing the theft, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He continued that museum protectors at the facility and other persons were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, houses the most important archaeological collection in the country.
It includes historical records originating to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period classical statues from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The institution was had to cease operations in 2012, a year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the collection was transferred and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, one month after rebel forces removed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The militant faction blew up several ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were un-Islamic. Unesco condemned the damage as a violation.
Numerous cultural items were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.
