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Valuable sculptures and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.

The burglary was noticed on Monday, when staff allegedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside.

The six stolen statues were made of marble and traced back to the ancient Roman times, one official stated to the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been implemented to strengthen safeguarding and observation methods.

The chief of national security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as stating that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".

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

The Damascus Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, houses the primary archaeological collection in the country.

It features historical records originating to the ancient era from historical site, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was discovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from the ancient city, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at an ancient location.

The institution was forced to close in the early 2010s, twelve months after the start of the internal strife. The majority of the holdings was transferred and kept at secure places to protect them.

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

Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The IS organization blew up several religious structures and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a atrocity.

Numerous artefacts were also destroyed or looted from dig sites and cultural institutions.