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Valuable artifacts and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.

The burglary was discovered on Monday, when employees allegedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.

The half-dozen stolen sculptures were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, a source told the media outlet.

Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to determine the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a number of exhibits", and that actions had been implemented to improve protection and observation methods.

The chief of internal security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as saying that security forces were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".

He continued that guards at the facility and additional people were being interviewed.

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

It contains ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where indications of the most ancient linguistic system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important cultural centres of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was built at another archaeological site.

The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the beginning of the internal strife. The majority of the collection was removed and preserved at secret locations to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in 2018 and returned to normal in January 2025, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.

Each of the six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or partly ruined during the internal struggle.

The IS organization blew up multiple temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, asserting that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the damage as a war crime.

Numerous artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from dig sites and collections.