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Ancient artifacts and cultural objects have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.

The theft was noticed on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.

The multiple missing sculptures were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman period, one official informed the news agency.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had launched a probe to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that actions had been enacted to enhance security and surveillance.

The head of internal security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the government press as stating that law enforcement were examining the theft, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".

He continued that museum protectors at the facility and other individuals were being questioned.

The cultural institution, which was created in 1919, contains the primary archaeological collection in the country.

It includes historical records dating back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where evidence of the earliest linguistic system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, among the foremost ancient sites of the historical period; and a third century Jewish temple that was established at Dura Europos.

The facility was forced to close in the early 2010s, twelve months after the outbreak of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was transferred and stored at secure places to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, four weeks after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or significantly impacted during the conflict.

The militant faction demolished multiple temples and historical sites at the ancient city, asserting that they were idolatrous. Unesco censured the demolition as a violation.

Numerous historical objects were also damaged or taken from dig sites and cultural institutions.