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Ancient artifacts and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.

The burglary was discovered on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.

The half-dozen missing statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, a source told the media outlet.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a group of items", and that measures had been implemented to strengthen protection and observation methods.

The director of internal security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as declaring that law enforcement were examining the theft, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".

He added that museum protectors at the institution and other individuals were being questioned.

The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the most important cultural treasures in the country.

It contains clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the ancient era from historical site, where proof of the most ancient complete alphabet was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, among the foremost ancient sites of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was built at Dura Europos.

The facility was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the start of the devastating civil war. Most of the holdings was removed and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and returned to normal in January 2025, four weeks after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were damaged or partly ruined during the conflict.

The Islamic State group destroyed multiple temples and additional edifices at the archaeological site, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities denounced the demolition as a violation.

Many artefacts were also damaged or taken from historical locations and collections.