Ancient Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.
The robbery was discovered on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside.
The multiple missing sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the Roman era, a source informed the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to identify the "details surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that steps had been implemented to strengthen security and monitoring systems.
The head of national security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that authorities were investigating the theft, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He added that security personnel at the facility and other persons were being interrogated.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, holds the primary cultural treasures in the country.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets originating to the ancient era from historical site, where proof of the oldest known writing system was discovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, among the foremost ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The facility was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the outbreak of the internal strife. Most of the holdings was transferred and stored at secure places to protect them.
It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The IS organization blew up several temples and other structures at the ancient city, asserting that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the demolition as a violation.
Many artefacts were also damaged or stolen from dig sites and museums.
