Valuable Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and cultural objects have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.
The robbery was noticed on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that an entrance had been broken from the inside.
The six missing statues were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, an authority stated to the media outlet.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to determine the "details surrounding the theft of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to enhance safeguarding and observation methods.
The chief of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that law enforcement were probing the incident, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".
He continued that guards at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, holds the primary cultural treasures in Syria.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the ancient era from historical site, where indications of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; early centuries CE classical statues from Palmyra, among the foremost historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was built at an ancient location.
The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the holdings was removed and stored at secret locations to protect them.
It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, one month after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The IS organization blew up multiple temples and historical sites at Palmyra, asserting that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a violation.
Countless cultural items were also destroyed or looted from dig sites and museums.
