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Historic statues and additional items have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.

The burglary was found on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the inside.

The six stolen pieces were crafted from marble and traced back to the ancient Roman times, one official told the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "details surrounding the theft of a number of items", and that steps had been enacted to improve protection and surveillance.

The head of internal security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as stating that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He added that security personnel at the museum and additional people were being interrogated.

The National Museum, which was established in 1919, houses the most important cultural treasures in Syria.

It includes historical records tracing back to the ancient era from historical site, where indications of the oldest known linguistic system was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, among the foremost ancient sites of the ancient world; and a third century Jewish temple that was built at another archaeological site.

The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the holdings was removed and stored at secure places to protect them.

It began limited operations in 2018 and returned to normal in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partly ruined during the conflict.

The militant faction destroyed multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, asserting that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization denounced the damage as a war crime.

Many cultural items were also lost or taken from historical locations and museums.