Historic Statues Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and additional items have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.
The theft was discovered on the start of the week, when staff allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the inside.
The half-dozen taken statues were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, an authority told the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of artifacts", and that actions had been taken to improve safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The director of internal security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as declaring that authorities were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".
He added that security personnel at the facility and additional people were being questioned.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the primary archaeological collection in Syria.
It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where evidence of the most ancient linguistic system was found; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, a significant cultural centres of the ancient world; and a third century religious building that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The institution was forced to close in 2012, one year after the start of the internal strife. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and stored at secure places to protect them.
It began limited operations in 2018 and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents overthrew Syria's former leader.
All six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The militant faction demolished several temples and other structures at the archaeological site, stating that they were un-Islamic. Unesco condemned the demolition as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also damaged or stolen from historical locations and cultural institutions.
