Valuable Sculptures Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable sculptures and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The burglary was discovered on Monday, when museum workers apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the inside.
The multiple stolen sculptures were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, an authority stated to the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to determine the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a number of items", and that measures had been taken to strengthen protection and surveillance.
The chief of national security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".
He continued that security personnel at the facility and other individuals were being questioned.
The National Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, holds the significant cultural treasures in Syria.
It features clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where indications of the earliest complete alphabet was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a third century Jewish temple that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. The majority of the collection was removed and preserved at secret locations to safeguard them.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, one month after opposition groups overthrew Syria's former leader.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partially destroyed during the civil war.
The Islamic State group demolished several temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, stating that they were un-Islamic. Unesco condemned the demolition as a violation.
Many artefacts were also lost or stolen from historical locations and museums.
