Ancient Statues Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable sculptures and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The burglary was found on the start of the week, when museum workers allegedly found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen missing pieces were marble creations and dated back to the Roman era, a source told the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to establish the "events surrounding the loss of a number of artifacts", and that measures had been enacted to enhance protection and observation methods.
The chief of internal security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He added that museum protectors at the institution and additional people were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the primary archaeological collection in Syria.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets originating to the ancient era from historical site, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was uncovered; early centuries CE classical statues from the ancient city, among the foremost historical locations of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the start of the destructive conflict. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and kept at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, a month after rebel forces overthrew the Assad regime.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The militant faction destroyed multiple temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, asserting that they were un-Islamic. International authorities condemned the destruction as a violation.
Many historical objects were also damaged or taken from historical locations and cultural institutions.
