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Valuable statues and cultural objects have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, authorities report.

The burglary was discovered on Monday, when staff reportedly found that an entrance had been broken from the interior.

The multiple stolen sculptures were marble creations and dated back to the Roman period, one official stated to the news agency.

Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "details surrounding the theft of a collection of artifacts", and that measures had been enacted to improve protection and observation methods.

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

He noted that guards at the institution and additional people were being questioned.

The National Museum, which was founded in 1919, houses the primary historical artifacts in the country.

It includes ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the ancient era from historical site, where evidence of the most ancient linguistic system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from Palmyra, a significant ancient sites of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was constructed at Dura Europos.

The facility was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, a year after the start of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the collection was transferred and kept at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, one month after opposition groups overthrew Syria's former leader.

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

The Islamic State group demolished numerous religious structures and additional edifices at Palmyra, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the destruction as a war crime.

Countless cultural items were also damaged or looted from archaeological sites and museums.