Ancient Statues Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.
The theft was discovered on the start of the week, when museum workers reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the inside.
The six stolen statues were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a collection of exhibits", and that actions had been enacted to improve security and observation methods.
The director of internal security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as stating that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".
He added that guards at the facility and additional people were being questioned.
The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the most important historical artifacts in the country.
It features historical records originating to the ancient era from an ancient city, where indications of the earliest writing system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, among the foremost historical locations of the classical era; and a ancient Jewish temple that was built at another archaeological site.
The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the holdings was transferred and kept at secure places to protect them.
It partially resumed in recent years and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, four weeks after rebel forces deposed the Assad regime.
All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The Islamic State group demolished multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at the archaeological site, claiming that they were idolatrous. International authorities censured the demolition as a atrocity.
Many artefacts were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.
