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Ancient statues and other artefacts have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.

The theft was found on Monday, when employees reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.

The multiple taken sculptures were marble creations and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source told the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to establish the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been enacted to strengthen security and surveillance.

The chief of domestic security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and unique items".

He noted that guards at the facility and other persons were being questioned.

The Damascus Museum, which was established in 1919, holds the most important cultural treasures in the country.

It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from Palmyra, among the foremost cultural centres of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was constructed at an ancient location.

The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the start of the internal strife. Most of the artifacts was transferred and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces removed Syria's former leader.

All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.

The IS organization destroyed several religious structures and historical sites at the ancient city, claiming that they were un-Islamic. Unesco denounced the destruction as a violation.

Countless artefacts were also lost or stolen from dig sites and cultural institutions.