Historic Sculptures Taken from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic statues and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The burglary was found on Monday, when staff apparently found that an entrance had been damaged from the inside.
The half-dozen stolen pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, one official informed the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "details surrounding the theft of a collection of exhibits", and that steps had been taken to enhance safeguarding and surveillance.
The head of national security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that law enforcement were probing the incident, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He continued that museum protectors at the institution and other individuals were being questioned.
The National Museum, which was founded in 1919, contains the most important historical artifacts in the country.
It includes historical records originating to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where indications of the oldest known writing system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from historical site, among the foremost ancient sites of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was built at an ancient location.
The facility was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the start of the internal strife. The majority of the artifacts was transferred and stored at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in recent years and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, one month after opposition groups overthrew Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The militant faction blew up numerous religious structures and additional edifices at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the destruction as a atrocity.
Countless historical objects were also destroyed or looted from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.
