Ancient Artifacts Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The theft was found on Monday, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The six taken pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, one official stated to the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "events surrounding the loss of a group of exhibits", and that measures had been implemented to enhance safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The chief of national security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that law enforcement were probing the robbery, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".
He continued that security personnel at the facility and additional people were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the significant cultural treasures in the country.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, a significant historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the beginning of the internal strife. Most of the holdings was removed and stored at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.
It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, a month after rebel forces removed President Bashar al-Assad.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the civil war.
The IS organization blew up several temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the damage as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or looted from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.
