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Historic statues and other artefacts have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.

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

The six taken sculptures were marble creations and originated to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to identify the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that actions had been enacted to improve security and surveillance.

The head of national security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as saying that security forces were probing the incident, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and unique items".

He continued that guards at the facility and other persons were being questioned.

The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the primary cultural treasures in Syria.

It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from the ancient city, among the foremost ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was established at an ancient location.

The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the internal strife. The majority of the collection was transferred and kept at secret locations to protect them.

It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, four weeks after opposition groups deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

Every one of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.

The IS organization blew up several religious structures and additional edifices at the archaeological site, stating that they were un-Islamic. International authorities censured the destruction as a violation.

Countless cultural items were also destroyed or taken from archaeological sites and museums.