Ancient Artifacts Stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus

Ancient statues and other artefacts have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.

The burglary was discovered on the start of the week, when museum workers allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.

The half-dozen taken sculptures were made of marble and traced back to the Roman period, an authority stated to the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to determine the "details surrounding the loss of a number of items", and that actions had been taken to improve protection and observation methods.

The head of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as declaring that security forces were investigating the theft, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".

He added that guards at the museum and other individuals were being interrogated.

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

It features historical records dating back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where indications of the oldest known linguistic system was found; Greco-Roman period classical statues from Palmyra, one of the most important cultural centres of the classical era; and a ancient religious building that was established at an ancient location.

The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. Most of the holdings was removed and kept at secure places to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, a month after insurgents removed Syria's former leader.

Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the civil war.

The IS organization demolished several temples and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a violation.

Countless cultural items were also destroyed or stolen from historical locations and cultural institutions.