Valuable Artifacts Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic artifacts and other artefacts have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report.
The robbery was found on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen stolen sculptures were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, an authority stated to the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been implemented to strengthen security and surveillance.
The director of domestic security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as saying that law enforcement were examining the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He added that guards at the institution and other individuals were being questioned.
The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the primary cultural treasures in Syria.
It features historical records originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where evidence of the oldest known complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, a significant cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was built at another archaeological site.
The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the collection was transferred and kept at secret locations to protect them.
It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, one month after insurgents removed the Assad regime.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.
The IS organization blew up multiple religious structures and other structures at the ancient city, asserting that they were idolatrous. Unesco denounced the damage as a atrocity.
Countless artefacts were also lost or taken from historical locations and collections.
