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Ancient statues and additional items have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.

The robbery was found on Monday, when employees reportedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside.

The multiple stolen pieces were marble creations and dated back to the Roman era, one official told the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "events surrounding the loss of a collection of items", and that actions had been taken to enhance protection and observation methods.

The head of national security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as stating that security forces were examining the theft, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".

He added that security personnel at the museum and additional people were being questioned.

The National Museum, which was established in 1919, houses the most important archaeological collection in the country.

It features historical records tracing back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where proof of the oldest known linguistic system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, among the foremost ancient sites of the classical era; and a third century synagogue that was built at Dura Europos.

The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the artifacts was transferred and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and returned to normal in early this year, a month after insurgents overthrew Syria's former leader.

Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partly ruined during the civil war.

The Islamic State group blew up multiple temples and other structures at the ancient city, claiming that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a war crime.

Many artefacts were also destroyed or stolen from historical locations and cultural institutions.