Ancient Sculptures Stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and cultural objects have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.
The theft was noticed on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.
The six stolen sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the ancient Roman times, a source stated to the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a group of exhibits", and that actions had been implemented to strengthen security and surveillance.
The director of internal security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items".
He added that guards at the museum and additional people were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the primary cultural treasures in the country.
It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the oldest known linguistic system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period classical statues from Palmyra, one of the most important ancient sites of the ancient world; and a third century religious building that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the holdings was removed and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, one month after rebel forces removed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partly ruined during the internal struggle.
The militant faction destroyed several religious structures and other structures at Palmyra, stating that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization denounced the damage as a atrocity.
Numerous cultural items were also destroyed or stolen from archaeological sites and museums.
