Ancient Artifacts Taken from the National Museum in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The theft was discovered on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that an entrance had been damaged from the inside.
The half-dozen stolen sculptures were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, a source informed the news agency.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a collection of exhibits", and that measures had been enacted to strengthen protection and observation methods.
The head of domestic security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were investigating the robbery, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He added that guards at the facility and other individuals were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was founded in 1919, holds the most important cultural treasures in Syria.
It includes historical records originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important cultural centres of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the internal strife. Most of the collection was transferred and stored at secure places to protect them.
It partially resumed in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, four weeks after opposition groups overthrew the Assad regime.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were affected or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.
The militant faction blew up multiple temples and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco condemned the destruction as a atrocity.
Numerous cultural items were also destroyed or stolen from historical locations and collections.
