Historic Statues Removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus
Historic artifacts and other artefacts have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The theft was noticed on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The half-dozen stolen pieces were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, one official informed the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to determine the "details surrounding the disappearance of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been implemented to enhance safeguarding and surveillance.
The head of domestic security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as saying that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and unique items".
He added that guards at the facility and other persons were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, holds the primary cultural treasures in Syria.
It features ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where evidence of the oldest known complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE classical statues from the ancient city, a significant cultural centres of the classical era; and a third century synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, a year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. The majority of the collection was evacuated and kept at secure places to protect them.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents overthrew Syria's former leader.
All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were damaged or partly ruined during the civil war.
The IS organization destroyed multiple religious structures and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. Unesco denounced the demolition as a war crime.
Many artefacts were also lost or looted from historical locations and museums.
