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Historic statues and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.

The theft was found on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.

The half-dozen stolen pieces were made of marble and dated back to the Roman period, one official told the media outlet.

Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to determine the "details surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been implemented to enhance protection and surveillance.

The head of national security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as declaring that security forces were investigating the theft, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".

He continued that guards at the institution and other individuals were being interrogated.

The National Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, holds the significant archaeological collection in the country.

It features clay cuneiform tablets originating to the ancient era from historical site, where indications of the oldest known writing system was found; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, one of the most important cultural centres of the historical period; and a third century religious building that was built at another archaeological site.

The institution was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the artifacts was removed and preserved at undisclosed sites to protect them.

It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, one month after opposition groups overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

Every one of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were harmed or partly ruined during the internal struggle.

The militant faction destroyed several religious structures and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a violation.

Countless artefacts were also damaged or taken from archaeological sites and museums.