Ancient Statues Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable artifacts and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The theft was noticed on Monday, when employees reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.
The six missing pieces were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, one official told the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to enhance protection and surveillance.
The head of national security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that security forces were investigating the incident, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He noted that security personnel at the facility and other individuals were being questioned.
The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the significant historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets originating to the ancient era from Ugarit, where proof of the earliest complete alphabet was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from Palmyra, a significant ancient sites of the historical period; and a ancient synagogue that was built at Dura Europos.
The facility was forced to close in the early 2010s, a year after the outbreak of the internal strife. The majority of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at secure places to safeguard them.
It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, a month after opposition groups deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
Each of the six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were harmed or partly ruined during the conflict.
The militant faction destroyed several ancient buildings and other structures at the ancient city, asserting that they were idolatrous. Unesco censured the destruction as a war crime.
Many historical objects were also damaged or looted from dig sites and museums.
