Valuable Sculptures Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus

Valuable artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.

The robbery was noticed on Monday, when employees allegedly found that an entrance had been forced from the inside.

The multiple taken sculptures were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, one official informed the media outlet.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to determine the "events surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that measures had been taken to strengthen protection and surveillance.

The chief of domestic security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".

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

The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, contains the significant cultural treasures in Syria.

It features historical records dating back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the oldest known complete alphabet was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, one of the most important historical locations of the ancient world; and a ancient religious building that was built at an ancient location.

The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the artifacts was removed and stored at secret locations to safeguard them.

It partially resumed in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, four weeks after opposition groups removed the Assad regime.

Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partly ruined during the civil war.

The militant faction destroyed multiple temples and other structures at Palmyra, stating that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization condemned the destruction as a atrocity.

Countless cultural items were also lost or taken from historical locations and cultural institutions.