Ancient sculptures and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The burglary was discovered on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that an entrance had been damaged from the inside.
The multiple taken pieces were made of marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source told the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been implemented to enhance protection and surveillance.
The chief of domestic security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as saying that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had focused on several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He continued that museum protectors at the institution and other persons were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the primary historical artifacts in Syria.
It contains historical records tracing back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where indications of the oldest known linguistic system was discovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a third century religious building that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the internal strife. The majority of the holdings was transferred and kept at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in 2018 and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, one month after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of nationally recognized sites were affected or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.
The IS organization blew up numerous ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, asserting that they were un-Islamic. International authorities denounced the damage as a war crime.
Countless cultural items were also lost or taken from dig sites and cultural institutions.
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