Historic Statues Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The burglary was discovered on the start of the week, when museum workers reportedly found that a doorway had been broken from the inside.
The six missing statues were made of marble and traced back to the Roman era, one official told the news agency.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to determine the "details surrounding the disappearance of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been implemented to enhance safeguarding and surveillance.
The chief of domestic security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He added that guards at the institution and other persons were being questioned.
The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the significant archaeological collection in Syria.
It features ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where indications of the earliest writing system was found; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, among the foremost historical locations of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was built at another archaeological site.
The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the start of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at secret locations to safeguard them.
It reopened partially in 2018 and returned to normal in early this year, a month after insurgents removed the Assad regime.
All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partly ruined during the conflict.
The Islamic State group destroyed numerous religious structures and historical sites at the archaeological site, stating that they were against their beliefs. Unesco condemned the destruction as a war crime.
Many cultural items were also lost or stolen from dig sites and museums.
