Ancient Artifacts Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus

Valuable artifacts and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.

The theft was noticed on Monday, when employees allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the inside.

The six stolen sculptures were crafted from marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to determine the "details surrounding the loss of a number of artifacts", and that actions had been implemented to strengthen security and surveillance.

The director of internal security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as declaring that authorities were examining the theft, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items".

He continued that guards at the facility and other persons were being questioned.

The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, holds the primary cultural treasures in the country.

It includes clay cuneiform tablets originating to the ancient era from an ancient city, where proof of the oldest known writing system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from Palmyra, a significant cultural centres of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was built at another archaeological site.

The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at secure places to protect them.

It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, four weeks after insurgents removed the Assad regime.

Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the civil war.

The Islamic State group destroyed numerous ancient buildings and other structures at the ancient city, asserting that they were idolatrous. International authorities denounced the demolition as a atrocity.

Countless cultural items were also destroyed or looted from historical locations and museums.