Ancient Artifacts Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.
The theft was noticed on the start of the week, when employees reportedly found that an entrance had been damaged from the interior.
The six taken sculptures were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, an authority stated to the news agency.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a group of items", and that actions had been taken to enhance security and observation methods.
The chief of domestic security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".
He added that guards at the facility and other individuals were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the most important archaeological collection in the country.
It features clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where proof of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, among the foremost ancient sites of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was established at Dura Europos.
The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the collection was evacuated and preserved at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, one month after opposition groups deposed Syria's former leader.
All six of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partly ruined during the internal struggle.
The IS organization blew up multiple temples and other structures at Palmyra, stating that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a atrocity.
Numerous cultural items were also damaged or looted from archaeological sites and collections.