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Historic artifacts and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.

The burglary was noticed on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that a doorway had been forced from the inside.

The multiple taken statues were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, an authority told the media outlet.

Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to determine the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a group of exhibits", and that measures had been enacted to improve protection and observation methods.

The chief of national security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as saying that security forces were investigating the theft, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".

He continued that security personnel at the institution and additional people were being interviewed.

The cultural institution, which was created in 1919, houses the primary cultural treasures in the country.

It includes ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where proof of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, one of the most important ancient sites of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was established at an ancient location.

The facility was forced to close in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the artifacts was removed and kept at secret locations to ensure their safety.

It began limited operations in recent years and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, a month after opposition groups removed the Assad regime.

All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.

The Islamic State group destroyed numerous temples and other structures at the archaeological site, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco condemned the destruction as a violation.

Countless cultural items were also destroyed or looted from dig sites and museums.