Ancient Sculptures Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and additional items have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The burglary was noticed on the start of the week, when museum workers reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the interior.
The multiple missing sculptures were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, one official informed the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a collection of items", and that steps had been taken to strengthen security and observation methods.
The head of internal security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as stating that authorities were examining the incident, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".
He noted that security personnel at the facility and additional people were being questioned.
The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, houses the significant cultural treasures in Syria.
It features clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where proof of the earliest complete alphabet was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was established at Dura Europos.
The facility was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the collection was transferred and kept at undisclosed sites to protect them.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, one month after rebel forces overthrew the Assad regime.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.
The militant faction blew up multiple religious structures and additional edifices at the archaeological site, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco denounced the demolition as a violation.
Many cultural items were also damaged or taken from historical locations and cultural institutions.
