Ancient Statues Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.
The burglary was noticed on the start of the week, when staff allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.
The multiple taken sculptures were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, one official stated to the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "events surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to improve safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The chief of domestic security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that security forces were investigating the incident, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He noted that security personnel at the institution and other persons were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was founded in 1919, contains the primary historical artifacts in the country.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where proof of the earliest complete alphabet was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from Palmyra, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a ancient synagogue that was established at another archaeological site.
The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The IS organization destroyed multiple religious structures and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the damage as a violation.
Many cultural items were also damaged or looted from archaeological sites and collections.
