Historic Statues Taken from the National Museum in Damascus
Valuable statues and cultural objects have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The theft was discovered on Monday, when employees allegedly found that a doorway had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen taken pieces were crafted from marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that measures had been enacted to enhance safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The director of national security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were probing the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He noted that guards at the facility and other persons were being interrogated.
The Damascus Museum, which was created in 1919, holds the primary historical artifacts in the country.
It includes historical records originating to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, a significant ancient sites of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at an ancient location.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was removed and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partly ruined during the conflict.
The IS organization destroyed several religious structures and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were idolatrous. Unesco condemned the demolition as a atrocity.
Numerous cultural items were also lost or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.
