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Ancient statues and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, sources confirm.

The theft was noticed on Monday, when staff allegedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside.

The multiple stolen pieces were marble creations and dated back to the Roman era, an authority told the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of items", and that actions had been implemented to improve safeguarding and monitoring systems.

The head of national security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that security forces were investigating the theft, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".

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

The cultural institution, which was founded in 1919, contains the most important archaeological collection in the country.

It contains historical records originating to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where indications of the most ancient writing system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from historical site, one of the most important ancient sites of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at Dura Europos.

The institution was had to cease operations in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the collection was transferred and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The militant faction demolished multiple temples and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were idolatrous. International authorities censured the damage as a violation.

Numerous historical objects were also lost or taken from dig sites and collections.