Historic Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The burglary was noticed on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.
The multiple stolen sculptures were made of marble and traced back to the Roman era, one official told the news agency.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a collection of exhibits", and that measures had been taken to enhance safeguarding and surveillance.
The director of domestic security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as stating that security forces were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He added that museum protectors at the facility and additional people were being interrogated.
The Damascus Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, holds the most important historical artifacts in the country.
It contains historical records originating to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where indications of the most ancient linguistic system was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important historical locations of the classical era; and a third century Jewish temple that was established at Dura Europos.
The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the collection was transferred and kept at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The IS organization blew up numerous temples and other structures at Palmyra, stating that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the destruction as a atrocity.
Numerous historical objects were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and museums.
