Ancient Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus

Ancient statues and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.

The burglary was found on Monday, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.

The multiple missing pieces were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, an authority told the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to determine the "details surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that measures had been taken to improve security and observation methods.

The chief of domestic security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as stating that security forces were investigating the theft, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items".

He noted that security personnel at the museum and other persons were being questioned.

The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, contains the primary historical artifacts in Syria.

It features ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where proof of the most ancient linguistic system was found; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the ancient world; and a third century religious building that was established at Dura Europos.

The facility was forced to close in 2012, twelve months after the beginning of the devastating civil war. The majority of the collection was removed and preserved at secure places to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in recent years and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, four weeks after rebel forces deposed the Assad regime.

Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The militant faction demolished multiple religious structures and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization condemned the damage as a violation.

Many cultural items were also lost or taken from dig sites and cultural institutions.