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Valuable artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.

The burglary was noticed on the start of the week, when employees reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.

The multiple missing statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, one official stated to the news agency.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to determine the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been implemented to enhance protection and observation methods.

The director of national security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that law enforcement were probing the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".

He continued that security personnel at the facility and other persons were being interviewed.

The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the most important cultural treasures in Syria.

It includes clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was found; early centuries CE classical statues from Palmyra, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a third century synagogue that was constructed at Dura Europos.

The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the beginning of the internal strife. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and kept at secret locations to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in recent years and returned to normal in January 2025, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.

All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.

The Islamic State group blew up numerous temples and additional edifices at the archaeological site, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the destruction as a violation.

Countless historical objects were also lost or looted from archaeological sites and collections.