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

The theft was discovered on Monday, when museum workers apparently found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.

The six stolen sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the Roman period, a source told the news agency.

Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the loss of a group of items", and that steps had been enacted to improve security and observation methods.

The director of internal security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".

He continued that guards at the institution and additional people were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the significant cultural treasures in the country.

It contains ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was discovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, among the foremost ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient religious building that was built at an ancient location.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the beginning of the internal strife. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and kept at secure places to safeguard them.

It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in early this year, a month after rebel forces deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.

The militant faction demolished several religious structures and other structures at the ancient city, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities censured the demolition as a violation.

Many cultural items were also damaged or looted from dig sites and museums.