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Valuable statues and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.

The burglary was noticed on the start of the week, when employees apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the inside.

The half-dozen stolen sculptures were crafted from marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, an authority told the news agency.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to determine the "details surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that actions had been taken to enhance protection and monitoring systems.

The head of national security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as saying that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He added that security personnel at the museum and other persons were being interrogated.

The National Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the significant historical artifacts in Syria.

It features historical records dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where proof of the earliest writing system was uncovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at Dura Europos.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and kept at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, a month after opposition groups deposed the Assad regime.

Every one of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the civil war.

The militant faction blew up multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, asserting that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the demolition as a atrocity.

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