Ancient Artifacts Taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus
Historic artifacts and other artefacts have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.
The theft was noticed on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.
The multiple missing statues were crafted from marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the news agency.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "details surrounding the loss of a collection of artifacts", and that actions had been enacted to improve safeguarding and monitoring systems.
The head of domestic security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that security forces were examining the incident, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He noted that security personnel at the facility and other individuals were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was created in 1919, holds the significant cultural treasures in the country.
It features ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, one of the most important cultural centres of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was built at another archaeological site.
The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was evacuated and stored at secure places to protect them.
It partially resumed in 2018 and returned to normal in early this year, one month after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partially destroyed during the civil war.
The militant faction destroyed several temples and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were un-Islamic. Unesco denounced the damage as a atrocity.
Countless artefacts were also lost or taken from historical locations and museums.
