Valuable Sculptures Taken from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable statues and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.
The theft was discovered on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been broken from the interior.
The multiple missing pieces were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, an authority informed the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of artifacts", and that measures had been enacted to improve security and surveillance.
The director of internal security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He added that security personnel at the museum and other persons were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the primary historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the most ancient writing system was discovered; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a ancient religious building that was established at an ancient location.
The museum was forced to close in 2012, a year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. Most of the collection was evacuated and preserved at secure places to protect them.
It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, one month after opposition groups overthrew Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The IS organization destroyed multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the demolition as a war crime.
Numerous artefacts were also destroyed or looted from archaeological sites and collections.
