Houthi violations that could alter the history and landmarks of Sana’a… Details
While the Houthis employ the easiest and most sustainable methods to keep their slogans intact for as long as possible, regardless of distorting or removing heritage landmarks, the Yemeni government has warned of the continued assaults by the group on the historical landmarks of the old city of Sana’a. It stated that this could lead to its removal from the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Yemeni government, through its ambassador to UNESCO, Mohammed Jumaih, mentioned that it would inform the international organization of a new plan by the Houthi group aiming to change the historical character of the city’s entrance, listed as a World Heritage site since 1986. The city might be transferred to the list of heritage sites in danger due to ongoing violations.
The government’s warning comes in response to the Houthi announcement of initiating changes to the main entrance of the city, known as “Bab al-Yemen,” and its internal and external squares, under the guise of a tourist and investment project. Experts in archaeology describe this project as distorting the city’s landmarks and historical character. The project includes the addition of touches and designs with an “Iranian” influence, using construction materials unrelated to those used in the construction of the city and its gates, as reported by the Middle East newspaper.
The Yemeni ambassador affirmed that the new Houthi project would impact the archaeological character of old Sana’a, as the group works on a new tourist project at Bab al-Yemen without consulting UNESCO. He mentioned that an expert in world heritage sent a letter emphasizing the necessity to “stop this madness.”
The Yemeni ambassador also recalled that the Houthi group had previously demolished the historic al-Nahrain Mosque, part of the historical protection zone of Sana’a, and is currently rebuilding it with modern materials in violation of heritage norms. About a year and a half ago, they attempted to build a religious square in the heart of the historical city.
UNESCO requires that any projects or developments in its classified sites must have its approval or supervision. In 2015, the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO declared that the Old City of Sana’a, Shabam, and its wall in Yemen were on the List of World Heritage in Danger. In 2021, the Houthis demolished the al-Nahrain Mosque, which belonged to the historical protection zone of Sana’a, dating back to the first century of the Hijra, claiming a deviation in the direction of the Qibla. Later, it became clear that the demolition aimed to create “Husseini domes” for sectarian purposes. After the demolition and reconstruction, the Houthis disregarded the historical identity of the city and used concrete in the new construction.
In March of the past year, the Houthi group approved a plan to remove four historical markets in Old Sana’a and demolish them to build Shiite shrines and mausoleums in their place, sparking anger among the city’s residents and throughout Yemen.
