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Ancient artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.

The theft was noticed on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the inside.

The multiple taken sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the Roman period, an authority informed the Associated Press.

Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to establish the "details surrounding the disappearance of a group of exhibits", and that measures had been enacted to strengthen protection and observation methods.

The chief of domestic security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as declaring that law enforcement were probing the robbery, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and unique items".

He continued that security personnel at the museum and additional people were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was created in 1919, holds the significant historical artifacts in the country.

It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where indications of the oldest known complete alphabet was found; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a third century Jewish temple that was established at an ancient location.

The facility was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the collection was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to protect them.

It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.

Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or significantly impacted during the civil war.

The Islamic State group demolished several ancient buildings and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization condemned the demolition as a atrocity.

Countless artefacts were also damaged or taken from historical locations and museums.