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Historic statues and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.

The theft was discovered on the start of the week, when employees allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.

The six taken pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the media outlet.

Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to identify the "details surrounding the disappearance of a group of exhibits", and that actions had been taken to improve protection and surveillance.

The head of internal security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".

He continued that guards at the institution and other individuals were being questioned.

The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the primary archaeological collection in Syria.

It contains ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where indications of the oldest known linguistic system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a third century synagogue that was built at Dura Europos.

The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the start of the destructive conflict. The majority of the collection was evacuated and kept at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, a month after rebel forces overthrew the Assad regime.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The IS organization destroyed multiple ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the destruction as a violation.

Many artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.