Valuable Statues Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic artifacts and other artefacts have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The burglary was discovered on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the inside.
The half-dozen stolen pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, one official told the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to determine the "events surrounding the loss of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been implemented to enhance security and observation methods.
The head of domestic security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as saying that authorities were probing the incident, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He continued that security personnel at the institution and additional people were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was founded in 1919, houses the primary archaeological collection in Syria.
It contains historical records tracing back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the oldest known linguistic system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, a significant ancient sites of the historical period; and a third century religious building that was established at Dura Europos.
The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the start of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the holdings was removed and kept at secure places to safeguard them.
It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, one month after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The militant faction blew up several temples and additional edifices at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the damage as a atrocity.
Many artefacts were also damaged or taken from historical locations and cultural institutions.
