Historic Artifacts Taken from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic sculptures and additional items 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 employees reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the interior.
The half-dozen stolen pieces were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, an authority informed the Associated Press.
The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen protection and surveillance.
The head of national security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He continued that guards at the museum and other persons were being questioned.
The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the most important historical artifacts in the country.
It contains historical records originating to the ancient era from Ugarit, where proof of the oldest known complete alphabet was uncovered; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a ancient Jewish temple that was established at another archaeological site.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the beginning of the internal strife. Most of the artifacts was removed and kept at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.
It reopened partially in recent years and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, a month after rebel forces removed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The militant faction blew up several temples and historical sites at Palmyra, asserting that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the destruction as a atrocity.
Numerous historical objects were also damaged or taken from historical locations and museums.
