Valuable Artifacts Stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus

Valuable sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.

The robbery was noticed on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside.

The six taken pieces were crafted from marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, one official informed the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a number of items", and that steps had been enacted to enhance safeguarding and observation methods.

The director of national security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as saying that security forces were investigating the robbery, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".

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

The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, houses the significant historical artifacts in Syria.

It features clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where evidence of the earliest complete alphabet was found; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at an ancient location.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the holdings was evacuated and kept at secure places to safeguard them.

It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, one month after rebel forces deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the conflict.

The militant faction blew up numerous ancient buildings and additional edifices at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. Unesco condemned the damage as a violation.

Countless artefacts were also lost or looted from historical locations and collections.