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Valuable statues and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report.

The burglary was noticed on Monday, when employees reportedly found that an entrance had been forced from the inside.

The six stolen sculptures were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, a source told the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "events surrounding the disappearance of a number of exhibits", and that actions had been taken to improve protection and surveillance.

The head of national security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that security forces were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and unique items".

He added that guards at the institution and other individuals were being interviewed.

The National Museum, which was established in 1919, houses the significant historical artifacts in the country.

It contains clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where evidence of the most ancient linguistic system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was established at another archaeological site.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. The majority of the holdings was evacuated and stored at secret locations to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, a month after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.

The Islamic State group blew up numerous temples and other structures at Palmyra, stating that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a atrocity.

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