Ancient Statues Taken from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was found on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.
The multiple taken pieces were crafted from marble and dated back to the Roman era, a source told the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to determine the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a group of artifacts", and that measures had been taken to enhance protection and surveillance.
The chief of domestic security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the government press as stating that law enforcement were examining the robbery, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and unique items".
He noted that museum protectors at the museum and other individuals were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the primary historical artifacts in the country.
It contains clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where indications of the most ancient writing system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the historical period; and a ancient Jewish temple that was built at another archaeological site.
The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. The majority of the holdings was removed and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, a month after opposition groups removed President Bashar al-Assad.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The IS organization blew up multiple temples and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were idolatrous. Unesco condemned the damage as a war crime.
Many artefacts were also destroyed or taken from dig sites and collections.
