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Ancient statues and additional items have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, sources confirm.

The burglary was noticed on Monday, when museum workers allegedly found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.

The multiple taken pieces were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, an authority told the news agency.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of items", and that actions had been taken to enhance protection and observation methods.

The head of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that law enforcement were investigating the theft, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and unique items".

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

The National Museum, which was established in 1919, houses the primary cultural treasures in the country.

It features historical records tracing back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the earliest writing system was found; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, a significant cultural centres of the historical period; and a ancient synagogue that was constructed at Dura Europos.

The facility was forced to close in 2012, twelve months after the beginning of the devastating civil war. The majority of the artifacts was removed and stored at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in January 2025, one month after rebel forces deposed the Assad regime.

All six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.

The Islamic State group destroyed numerous ancient buildings and additional edifices at the ancient city, claiming that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization condemned the destruction as a atrocity.

Countless historical objects were also lost or taken from dig sites and collections.