Valuable Artifacts Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was discovered on Monday, when staff apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.
The multiple missing sculptures were marble creations and dated back to the Roman era, a source informed the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "details surrounding the loss of a collection of items", and that steps had been implemented to enhance security and observation methods.
The chief of domestic security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as declaring that security forces were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".
He added that guards at the facility and additional people were being questioned.
The cultural institution, which was created in 1919, holds the primary cultural treasures in the country.
It features historical records dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient linguistic system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, a significant cultural centres of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, a year after the outbreak of the internal strife. Most of the artifacts was transferred and stored at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.
It began limited operations in 2018 and resumed full operations in early this year, one month after insurgents removed the Assad regime.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were affected or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The IS organization blew up several temples and additional edifices at the ancient city, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco condemned the destruction as a violation.
Many cultural items were also damaged or looted from historical locations and cultural institutions.