Historic Sculptures Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and cultural objects have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.
The theft was noticed on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen stolen statues were made of marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source stated to the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of items", and that actions had been implemented to enhance protection and surveillance.
The chief of internal security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were probing the robbery, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He continued that security personnel at the facility and other persons were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was created in the early twentieth century, contains the most important historical artifacts in the country.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the earliest writing system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important cultural centres of the historical period; and a ancient Jewish temple that was built at Dura Europos.
The institution was forced to close in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and kept at secure places to safeguard them.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, four weeks after insurgents deposed the Assad regime.
All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or partially destroyed during the civil war.
The IS organization destroyed numerous temples and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the damage as a violation.
Numerous cultural items were also lost or stolen from historical locations and cultural institutions.
