Valuable Statues Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus

Ancient sculptures and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.

The theft was discovered on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the inside.

The multiple taken pieces were marble creations and originated to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the Associated Press.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to identify the "events surrounding the theft of a collection of items", and that steps had been implemented to enhance security and observation methods.

The chief of domestic security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that law enforcement were investigating the robbery, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

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

The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, houses the most important archaeological collection in Syria.

It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the ancient era from historical site, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was found; Greco-Roman period ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important cultural centres of the classical era; and a ancient religious building that was constructed at an ancient location.

The institution was forced to close in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the internal strife. Most of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, one month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partially destroyed during the civil war.

The Islamic State group demolished multiple temples and historical sites at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the damage as a violation.

Many historical objects were also lost or stolen from archaeological sites and museums.