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Valuable sculptures and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.

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

The multiple stolen statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, a source stated to the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to identify the "details surrounding the disappearance of a collection of items", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen protection and observation methods.

The chief of domestic security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as saying that authorities were investigating the theft, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".

He added that museum protectors at the institution and additional people were being questioned.

The National Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, holds the significant historical artifacts in Syria.

It includes historical records dating back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the earliest complete alphabet was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, among the foremost historical locations of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was built at an ancient location.

The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. Most of the artifacts was removed and stored at secret locations to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, a month after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

Every one of nationally recognized sites were affected or partly ruined during the conflict.

The IS organization blew up numerous temples and additional edifices at the ancient city, stating that they were idolatrous. Unesco censured the demolition as a war crime.

Numerous historical objects were also damaged or taken from archaeological sites and museums.