Valuable Statues Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus

Ancient artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.

The robbery was found on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.

The multiple stolen statues were crafted from marble and traced back to the Roman era, a source informed the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to establish the "events surrounding the loss of a group of exhibits", and that actions had been taken to improve safeguarding and monitoring systems.

The head of internal security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that security forces were probing the incident, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items".

He added that security personnel at the institution and other individuals were being interviewed.

The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, houses the primary archaeological collection in Syria.

It includes historical records originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the earliest linguistic system was found; early centuries CE classical statues from historical site, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was built at Dura Europos.

The facility was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the beginning of the devastating civil war. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and stored at secure places to safeguard them.

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

Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partially destroyed during the civil war.

The militant faction destroyed multiple temples and additional edifices at the archaeological site, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities censured the damage as a atrocity.

Countless artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from archaeological sites and museums.