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Valuable statues and additional items have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.

The theft was found on the start of the week, when museum workers reportedly found that an entrance had been broken from the interior.

The half-dozen stolen pieces were made of marble and dated back to the Roman era, a source informed the Associated Press.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to identify the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of items", and that steps had been implemented to strengthen security and surveillance.

The director of national security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as stating that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

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

The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, contains the significant cultural treasures in the country.

It features ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where indications of the oldest known linguistic system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, a significant historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was built at an ancient location.

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

It reopened partially in recent years and returned to normal in January 2025, one month after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

Every one of nationally recognized sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the civil war.

The IS organization blew up several religious structures and historical sites at the archaeological site, stating that they were un-Islamic. Unesco condemned the demolition as a violation.

Countless cultural items were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.