Historic Sculptures Taken from the National Museum in Damascus
Valuable artifacts and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been broken from the interior.
The multiple taken pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, one official told the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "details surrounding the loss of a number of artifacts", and that measures had been taken to strengthen safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The director of domestic security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as stating that authorities were probing the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He added that guards at the institution and other persons were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, houses the significant historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the oldest known writing system was discovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important cultural centres of the historical period; and a third century Jewish temple that was built at an ancient location.
The museum was forced to close in 2012, a year after the start of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the holdings was transferred and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.
The militant faction demolished multiple ancient buildings and additional edifices at the archaeological site, asserting that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization censured the damage as a violation.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or looted from historical locations and museums.
