Historic Statues Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus

Valuable artifacts and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.

The theft was noticed on Monday, when employees reportedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.

The multiple stolen statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, an authority stated to the Associated Press.

Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "details surrounding the loss of a number of exhibits", and that steps had been implemented to improve safeguarding and monitoring systems.

The director of internal security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".

He added that museum protectors at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, houses the primary cultural treasures in the country.

It includes historical records dating back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the earliest complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, a significant cultural centres of the ancient world; and a third century Jewish temple that was established at Dura Europos.

The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the start of the internal strife. The majority of the holdings was removed and kept at secure places to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, one month after rebel forces deposed the Assad regime.

Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partly ruined during the conflict.

The militant faction blew up multiple temples and additional edifices at the ancient city, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization censured the damage as a violation.

Many artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from dig sites and cultural institutions.