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Valuable statues and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.

The burglary was discovered on the start of the week, when staff allegedly found that an entrance had been damaged from the inside.

The half-dozen missing sculptures were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, one official told the news agency.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to determine the "details surrounding the theft of a collection of exhibits", and that actions had been implemented to strengthen protection and surveillance.

The head of internal security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and unique items".

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

The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the significant historical artifacts in the country.

It contains historical records dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where proof of the oldest known complete alphabet was found; Greco-Roman period classical statues from the ancient city, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a ancient religious building that was established at an ancient location.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was transferred and preserved at secure places to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces removed the Assad regime.

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

The Islamic State group blew up multiple temples and other structures at the archaeological site, claiming that they were idolatrous. International authorities censured the demolition as a atrocity.

Numerous cultural items were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and museums.