Ancient Artifacts Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic sculptures and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that an entrance had been broken from the inside.
The six missing sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the ancient Roman times, an authority stated to the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "details surrounding the disappearance of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to improve safeguarding and surveillance.
The chief of domestic security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as stating that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He added that guards at the museum and other individuals were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, holds the primary historical artifacts in Syria.
It features clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where proof of the oldest known writing system was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, twelve months after the start of the devastating civil war. Most of the artifacts was removed and stored at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, one month after opposition groups deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partly ruined during the civil war.
The Islamic State group demolished multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at Palmyra, claiming that they were un-Islamic. International authorities denounced the damage as a atrocity.
Numerous cultural items were also destroyed or looted from historical locations and collections.
