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Valuable sculptures and additional items have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.

The theft was noticed on Monday, when staff allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the interior.

The half-dozen stolen statues were marble creations and dated back to the Roman period, an authority informed the Associated Press.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to determine the "events surrounding the theft of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been implemented to improve safeguarding and surveillance.

The head of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as saying that law enforcement were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".

He noted that security personnel at the facility and additional people were being interviewed.

The National Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, holds the primary cultural treasures in Syria.

It contains clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, among the foremost historical locations of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was established at Dura Europos.

The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was transferred and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, a month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader.

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

The militant faction blew up several ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the destruction as a violation.

Countless artefacts were also damaged or taken from historical locations and collections.