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

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

The half-dozen missing sculptures were made of marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source informed the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the theft of a group of items", and that measures had been implemented to enhance safeguarding and observation methods.

The head of national security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the government press as saying that security forces were examining the robbery, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items".

He noted that security personnel at the facility and additional people were being questioned.

The National Museum, which was created in 1919, holds the most important cultural treasures in Syria.

It contains historical records dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was found; early centuries CE classical statues from historical site, among the foremost historical locations of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was constructed at an ancient location.

The facility was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. Most of the artifacts was transferred and preserved at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.

It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in January 2025, a month after rebel forces removed President Bashar al-Assad.

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

The IS organization demolished numerous ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, asserting that they were against their beliefs. Unesco condemned the damage as a atrocity.

Numerous cultural items were also destroyed or looted from dig sites and collections.