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Historic sculptures and other artefacts have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.

The robbery was noticed on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the interior.

The half-dozen stolen pieces were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, a source stated to the Associated Press.

Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a collection of exhibits", and that measures had been enacted to strengthen protection and surveillance.

The head of national security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the official media as stating that security forces were probing the theft, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He added that guards at the museum and other persons were being questioned.

The Damascus Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the primary archaeological collection in Syria.

It features historical records dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where proof of the most ancient linguistic system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD classical statues from historical site, one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world; and a ancient religious building that was built at another archaeological site.

The institution was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the beginning of the internal strife. A large portion of the artifacts was evacuated and stored at secret locations to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, four weeks after insurgents overthrew President Bashar al-Assad.

All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.

The militant faction demolished numerous religious structures and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were un-Islamic. International authorities censured the damage as a atrocity.

Countless cultural items were also destroyed or looted from dig sites and collections.