Historic Artifacts Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient statues and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.
The burglary was found on the start of the week, when museum workers allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the interior.
The six missing statues were marble creations and traced back to the ancient Roman times, an authority stated to the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to enhance protection and observation methods.
The director of national security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that security forces were examining the incident, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He continued that security personnel at the museum and other persons were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, holds the significant archaeological collection in Syria.
It contains historical records dating back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE classical statues from historical site, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was established at Dura Europos.
The facility was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the holdings was removed and kept at secure places to protect them.
It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The militant faction destroyed several religious structures and historical sites at the ancient city, claiming that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the damage as a violation.
Many historical objects were also lost or taken from dig sites and museums.
