Valuable Statues Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.
The robbery was noticed on the start of the week, when employees allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.
The multiple stolen pieces were crafted from marble and dated back to the Roman period, one official stated to the news agency.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a group of items", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen protection and observation methods.
The head of internal security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".
He noted that guards at the facility and other persons were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, holds the most important historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where evidence of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important historical locations of the classical era; and a third century Jewish temple that was built at an ancient location.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the internal strife. Most of the artifacts was evacuated and preserved at secret locations to protect them.
It began limited operations in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, one month after rebel forces removed the Assad regime.
All six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The militant faction destroyed numerous ancient buildings and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities condemned the demolition as a atrocity.
Many historical objects were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.
