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Ancient statues and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.

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

The half-dozen taken sculptures were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, an authority told the news agency.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to identify the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a group of items", and that actions had been taken to strengthen protection and surveillance.

The director of national security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that law enforcement were investigating the robbery, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".

He added that museum protectors at the institution and additional people were being questioned.

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

It features clay cuneiform tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the earliest writing system was found; early centuries CE classical statues from historical site, one of the most important ancient sites of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was constructed at another archaeological site.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. The majority of the collection was evacuated and kept at secure places to protect them.

It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, one month after rebel forces removed Syria's former leader.

Each of the six of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were affected or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The IS organization destroyed several ancient buildings and historical sites at Palmyra, claiming that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the destruction as a violation.

Numerous historical objects were also damaged or looted from dig sites and museums.