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Ancient statues and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, sources confirm.

The robbery was discovered on Monday, when employees apparently found that a doorway had been damaged from the interior.

The six stolen sculptures were crafted from marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the news agency.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to identify the "details surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that steps had been taken to strengthen safeguarding and monitoring systems.

The head of internal security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He added that museum protectors at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, contains the significant archaeological collection in Syria.

It includes ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where indications of the most ancient writing system was found; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the historical period; and a third century Jewish temple that was constructed at another archaeological site.

The institution was forced to close in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. Most of the collection was transferred and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.

It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, a month after opposition groups deposed Syria's former leader.

All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The IS organization blew up numerous temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, asserting that they were against their beliefs. International authorities condemned the demolition as a atrocity.

Many historical objects were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.