Valuable Artifacts Stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus
Valuable sculptures and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The burglary was found on the start of the week, when employees apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.
The six stolen sculptures were crafted from marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source told the media outlet.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a collection of items", and that actions had been enacted to enhance protection and observation methods.
The chief of national security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that law enforcement were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He noted that museum protectors at the facility and additional people were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, houses the primary archaeological collection in the country.
It includes historical records dating back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was found; early centuries CE classical statues from the ancient city, a significant cultural centres of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at an ancient location.
The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was evacuated and preserved at secret locations to protect them.
It partially resumed in 2018 and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.
All six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The IS organization demolished multiple temples and other structures at the ancient city, asserting that they were un-Islamic. Unesco censured the damage as a violation.
Numerous artefacts were also destroyed or looted from historical locations and museums.
