Ancient Artifacts Taken from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.
The robbery was discovered on Monday, when employees apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.
The half-dozen taken pieces were marble creations and dated back to the Roman period, one official stated to the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a number of items", and that actions had been enacted to improve security and surveillance.
The head of internal security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that authorities were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He noted that guards at the museum and additional people were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the significant cultural treasures in the country.
It contains historical records dating back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where proof of the oldest known complete alphabet was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the historical period; and a third century religious building that was established at Dura Europos.
The facility was forced to close in 2012, a year after the beginning of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was removed and stored at secret locations to safeguard them.
It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, a month after rebel forces overthrew the Assad regime.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partly ruined during the conflict.
The Islamic State group demolished multiple religious structures and other structures at the ancient city, asserting that they were against their beliefs. Unesco censured the damage as a atrocity.
Numerous artefacts were also damaged or looted from archaeological sites and museums.
