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Ancient sculptures and additional items have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.

The theft was found on Monday, when staff apparently found that a doorway had been damaged from the interior.

The six missing statues were crafted from marble and traced back to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "events surrounding the theft of a collection of artifacts", and that actions had been implemented to improve safeguarding and monitoring systems.

The director of domestic security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that security forces were probing the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He added that guards at the museum and other individuals were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, houses the significant historical artifacts in the country.

It features ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where indications of the most ancient writing system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from Palmyra, among the foremost historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was built at another archaeological site.

The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the start of the internal strife. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, one month after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partly ruined during the civil war.

The militant faction blew up multiple religious structures and other structures at the ancient city, stating that they were un-Islamic. International authorities condemned the destruction as a violation.

Countless artefacts were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and collections.