Ancient Statues Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.
The robbery was noticed on the start of the week, when employees allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the inside.
The multiple taken pieces were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, a source told the media outlet.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a collection of exhibits", and that steps had been enacted to improve security and surveillance.
The chief of national security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as stating that security forces were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".
He added that museum protectors at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.
The cultural institution, which was created in 1919, holds the primary cultural treasures in Syria.
It features historical records originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the oldest known linguistic system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from historical site, among the foremost cultural centres of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was built at Dura Europos.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.
It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, four weeks after opposition groups overthrew Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The militant faction blew up several ancient buildings and other structures at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization denounced the destruction as a war crime.
Numerous historical objects were also lost or taken from archaeological sites and collections.
