Historic Sculptures Taken from the National Museum Located in Damascus

Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.

The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when employees reportedly found that an entrance had been broken from the inside.

The multiple stolen statues were made of marble and traced back to the ancient Roman times, a source stated to the media outlet.

Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a collection of items", and that measures had been enacted to enhance safeguarding and surveillance.

The head of domestic security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that authorities were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items".

He added that security personnel at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, contains the significant archaeological collection in Syria.

It includes clay cuneiform tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, among the foremost ancient sites of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was built at Dura Europos.

The institution was forced to close in 2012, twelve months after the start of the destructive conflict. Most of the holdings was evacuated and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.

It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, four weeks after rebel forces removed President Bashar al-Assad.

Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the civil war.

The Islamic State group demolished numerous religious structures and historical sites at the ancient city, claiming that they were un-Islamic. Unesco censured the demolition as a violation.

Countless artefacts were also destroyed or taken from historical locations and collections.