Historic Statues Removed from the National Museum in Damascus
Ancient statues and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The burglary was found on the start of the week, when staff allegedly found that a doorway had been forced from the interior.
The six taken sculptures were made of marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source told the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of items", and that actions had been enacted to improve safeguarding and observation methods.
The director of internal security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the government press as stating that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He added that security personnel at the museum and other individuals were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was established in 1919, houses the primary historical artifacts in the country.
It contains historical records tracing back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where proof of the oldest known complete alphabet was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the historical period; and a ancient synagogue that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, a year after the start of the internal strife. A large portion of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in recent years and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The Islamic State group demolished multiple religious structures and other structures at Palmyra, stating that they were un-Islamic. Unesco condemned the demolition as a war crime.
Countless cultural items were also destroyed or looted from historical locations and museums.
