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Historic statues and additional items have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.

The burglary was discovered on the start of the week, when museum workers allegedly found that a doorway had been forced from the interior.

The half-dozen taken statues were marble creations and dated back to the Roman period, an authority told the media outlet.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to establish the "details surrounding the theft of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been enacted to improve safeguarding and observation methods.

The head of national security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that security forces were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".

He noted that museum protectors at the facility and other persons were being questioned.

The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, houses the significant cultural treasures in Syria.

It features historical records tracing back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where indications of the most ancient complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at another archaeological site.

The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the collection was evacuated and preserved at secure places to protect them.

It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.

Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partially destroyed during the civil war.

The militant faction destroyed several ancient buildings and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the demolition as a violation.

Many artefacts were also lost or taken from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.