Ancient Sculptures Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and other artefacts have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.
The robbery was found on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The multiple taken pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to identify the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a number of artifacts", and that measures had been taken to improve security and surveillance.
The chief of national security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as declaring that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He added that museum protectors at the museum and additional people were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, holds the most important historical artifacts in Syria.
It contains historical records originating to the ancient era from Ugarit, where indications of the earliest complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE classical statues from Palmyra, a significant ancient sites of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was built at another archaeological site.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, a year after the start of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the artifacts was removed and stored at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in recent years and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, one month after opposition groups overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were affected or partially destroyed during the civil war.
The militant faction destroyed several temples and other structures at the ancient city, claiming that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization censured the destruction as a war crime.
Many artefacts were also lost or stolen from historical locations and collections.
