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Historic statues and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.

The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when employees reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.

The half-dozen missing statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, one official told the Associated Press.

Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to identify the "details surrounding the theft of a collection of items", and that measures had been taken to strengthen protection and surveillance.

The chief of domestic security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that law enforcement were probing the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He noted that guards at the facility and other individuals were being interrogated.

The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, contains the significant cultural treasures in Syria.

It includes clay cuneiform tablets originating to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where evidence of the oldest known writing system was found; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a ancient religious building that was built at an ancient location.

The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the beginning of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the artifacts was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to protect them.

It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, one month after rebel forces removed the Assad regime.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partly ruined during the internal struggle.

The Islamic State group destroyed numerous temples and historical sites at the ancient city, claiming that they were against their beliefs. International authorities condemned the damage as a violation.

Numerous cultural items were also damaged or taken from historical locations and museums.