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Valuable statues and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.

The burglary was discovered on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the interior.

The six missing pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, an authority stated to the news agency.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "events surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been implemented to strengthen safeguarding and observation methods.

The chief of national security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as saying that security forces were examining the robbery, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".

He noted that security personnel at the institution and other individuals were being interviewed.

The National Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, houses the most important archaeological collection in the country.

It features clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the oldest known writing system was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, among the foremost ancient sites of the historical period; and a third century synagogue that was established at another archaeological site.

The museum was forced to close in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the holdings was evacuated and kept at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after rebel forces removed President Bashar al-Assad.

Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The IS organization destroyed multiple ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, asserting that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the destruction as a violation.

Numerous historical objects were also lost or taken from archaeological sites and collections.