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Historic artifacts and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.

The theft was found on Monday, when employees reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside.

The six stolen statues were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, an authority told the media outlet.

Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of items", and that measures had been implemented to enhance protection and monitoring systems.

The head of national security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and rare collectibles".

He continued that museum protectors at the museum and other persons were being interviewed.

The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the most important archaeological collection in the country.

It includes clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the ancient era from historical site, where indications of the earliest complete alphabet was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from the ancient city, among the foremost historical locations of the historical period; and a ancient religious building that was built at another archaeological site.

The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the beginning of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the collection was transferred and preserved at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.

It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, four weeks after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.

The IS organization destroyed numerous ancient buildings and additional edifices at the archaeological site, stating that they were un-Islamic. Unesco condemned the damage as a war crime.

Numerous cultural items were also damaged or stolen from dig sites and museums.