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Ancient sculptures and cultural objects have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say.

The robbery was noticed on Monday, when staff reportedly found that an entrance had been broken from the inside.

The half-dozen taken sculptures were made of marble and traced back to the Roman period, one official told the Associated Press.

Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to establish the "details surrounding the loss of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been taken to strengthen protection and surveillance.

The chief of domestic security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as saying that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and unique items".

He continued that guards at the facility and other persons were being interrogated.

The Damascus Museum, which was created in 1919, houses the primary archaeological collection in the country.

It features historical records originating to the ancient era from Ugarit, where proof of the most ancient writing system was found; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, among the foremost cultural centres of the historical period; and a ancient religious building that was established at Dura Europos.

The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the beginning of the devastating civil war. Most of the artifacts was transferred and kept at secret locations to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, a month after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.

All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or partly ruined during the civil war.

The Islamic State group demolished multiple temples and other structures at the ancient city, asserting that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the damage as a war crime.

Many historical objects were also damaged or looted from dig sites and museums.