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

The theft was discovered on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the interior.

The half-dozen stolen statues were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, an authority stated to the media outlet.

Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to determine the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that actions had been enacted to improve security and monitoring systems.

The head of national security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as stating that law enforcement were probing the incident, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He continued that security personnel at the museum and other individuals were being questioned.

The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, houses the significant cultural treasures in the country.

It contains ancient inscribed tablets originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the most ancient linguistic system was found; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, among the foremost ancient sites of the historical period; and a ancient Jewish temple that was built at Dura Europos.

The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the artifacts was removed and stored at secret locations to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in January 2025, one month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.

Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.

The IS organization destroyed several temples and other structures at the ancient city, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities censured the demolition as a atrocity.

Countless cultural items were also lost or stolen from dig sites and cultural institutions.