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Historic artifacts and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.

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

The half-dozen stolen statues were crafted from marble and traced back to the Roman era, an authority told the news agency.

Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to establish the "events surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that steps had been implemented to enhance protection and surveillance.

The head of internal security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that security forces were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".

He noted that museum protectors at the museum and other individuals were being interrogated.

The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, houses the primary historical artifacts in Syria.

It includes ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the earliest writing system was discovered; Greco-Roman period classical statues from Palmyra, a significant historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was built at another archaeological site.

The facility was forced to close in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the internal strife. Most of the artifacts was removed and stored at secret locations to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, a month after opposition groups deposed Syria's former leader.

Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partly ruined during the civil war.

The Islamic State group destroyed numerous religious structures and additional edifices at the archaeological site, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a violation.

Countless artefacts were also lost or taken from historical locations and museums.