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Ancient artifacts and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.

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

The half-dozen stolen sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the Roman era, a source stated to the Associated Press.

Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to identify the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that steps had been taken to enhance security and observation methods.

The head of internal security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as stating that authorities were investigating the theft, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".

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

The cultural institution, which was created in the early twentieth century, houses the primary cultural treasures in the country.

It features historical records originating to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where indications of the most ancient complete alphabet was uncovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, among the foremost cultural centres of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was built at an ancient location.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the start of the devastating civil war. Most of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at secure places to protect them.

It partially resumed in recent years and returned to normal in January 2025, four weeks after opposition groups deposed the Assad regime.

Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or significantly impacted during the conflict.

The militant faction demolished multiple religious structures and historical sites at the archaeological site, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities condemned the demolition as a war crime.

Countless historical objects were also damaged or looted from historical locations and cultural institutions.