Historic Statues Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report.
The burglary was found on the start of the week, when museum workers reportedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside.
The multiple stolen statues were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman period, one official informed the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "events surrounding the disappearance of a group of artifacts", and that measures had been implemented to enhance safeguarding and surveillance.
The director of national security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He noted that security personnel at the museum and additional people were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was created in 1919, contains the primary archaeological collection in Syria.
It features historical records dating back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where proof of the most ancient complete alphabet was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, a significant cultural centres of the historical period; and a ancient synagogue that was built at an ancient location.
The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the artifacts was removed and stored at secure places to safeguard them.
It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in early this year, one month after opposition groups removed President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The IS organization destroyed multiple ancient buildings and other structures at the archaeological site, claiming that they were un-Islamic. International authorities denounced the damage as a war crime.
Many historical objects were also destroyed or taken from historical locations and museums.
