Historic Statues Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic artifacts and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The robbery was discovered on Monday, when employees reportedly found that a doorway had been broken from the inside.
The six stolen statues 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 identify the "details surrounding the theft of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been taken to improve protection and surveillance.
The director of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were examining the theft, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".
He continued that guards at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, holds the significant cultural treasures in the country.
It contains historical records tracing back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was uncovered; early centuries CE classical statues from historical site, among the foremost ancient sites of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the start of the internal strife. A large portion of the holdings was transferred and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in 2018 and resumed full operations in early this year, four weeks after insurgents removed Syria's former leader.
All six of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The militant faction destroyed numerous religious structures and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were idolatrous. Unesco censured the demolition as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or taken from historical locations and cultural institutions.
