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Ancient sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, sources confirm.

The robbery was found on the start of the week, when employees apparently found that an entrance had been damaged from the inside.

The six missing sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the ancient Roman times, a source told the news agency.

Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "details surrounding the loss of a number of exhibits", and that actions had been implemented to improve safeguarding and surveillance.

The head of internal security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that security forces were investigating the theft, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".

He noted that guards at the museum and other persons were being interrogated.

The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, contains the primary archaeological collection in the country.

It includes ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where proof of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, among the foremost historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was built at an ancient location.

The facility was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, twelve months after the start of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the artifacts was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to protect them.

It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, one month after opposition groups deposed Syria's former leader.

Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.

The IS organization blew up multiple religious structures and other structures at the ancient city, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization condemned the destruction as a war crime.

Numerous historical objects were also damaged or stolen from historical locations and cultural institutions.