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Historic sculptures and additional items have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.

The burglary was found on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that a doorway had been broken from the inside.

The six taken statues were made of marble and traced back to the Roman period, a source stated to the Associated Press.

Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to identify the "details surrounding the disappearance of a collection of exhibits", and that actions had been enacted to improve security and surveillance.

The head of internal security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".

He continued that guards at the institution and other persons were being questioned.

The National Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the significant cultural treasures in the country.

It contains clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was found; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, one of the most important historical locations of the ancient world; and a ancient Jewish temple that was constructed at Dura Europos.

The facility was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the artifacts was removed and stored at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after insurgents overthrew Syria's former leader.

All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or significantly impacted during the civil war.

The Islamic State group blew up several ancient buildings and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a violation.

Many cultural items were also lost or taken from dig sites and collections.