Valuable Artifacts Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable artifacts and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.
The burglary was discovered on Monday, when staff allegedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the interior.
The six missing sculptures were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, one official told the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "details surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that actions had been taken to improve protection and monitoring systems.
The chief of national security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He noted that guards at the facility and additional people were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the most important cultural treasures in Syria.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the ancient era from historical site, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was found; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, among the foremost ancient sites of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The facility was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the beginning of the internal strife. The majority of the collection was evacuated and preserved at secure places to safeguard them.
It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in early this year, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The IS organization demolished numerous ancient buildings and additional edifices at the ancient city, claiming that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the damage as a atrocity.
Many historical objects were also destroyed or stolen from historical locations and collections.
