Historic Artifacts Taken from the National Museum in Damascus

Ancient sculptures and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.

The burglary was discovered on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.

The half-dozen taken statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, a source told the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a collection of items", and that actions had been taken to improve safeguarding and surveillance.

The head of domestic security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were examining the robbery, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and unique items".

He continued that museum protectors at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was created in 1919, contains the significant historical artifacts in Syria.

It contains ancient inscribed tablets originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where indications of the most ancient linguistic system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from historical site, a significant historical locations of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was established at an ancient location.

The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. Most of the artifacts was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.

It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, four weeks after rebel forces deposed the Assad regime.

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

The Islamic State group destroyed several ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, asserting that they were un-Islamic. Unesco denounced the demolition as a atrocity.

Countless historical objects were also damaged or taken from historical locations and museums.