International warnings about the Houthi crimes against historical and archaeological sites in Yemen – Details

Despite continuous warnings to stop the Houthi terrorist violations targeting Yemen’s antiquities, the antiquities have been subjected to systematic looting and smuggling in addition to violations. Their trade has become popular and is openly taking place in markets. The militias have continued to destroy the infrastructure through indiscriminate bombing and to turn schools and hospitals into workshops, warehouses, military operations rooms and headquarters for the war against Yemenis, in a new expansion of their crimes which have affected all fields.

Persistent hazards

Mohammed Jumaih, Yemen’s ambassador to UNESCO, said he received a message from Ernesto Atun, the organization’s assistant director-general, about the situation in Sanaa’s Old City and the dangers facing the historic city. Archeological sites in provinces under the control of militias are subject to continuous excavation, with the aim of searching for treasures and artifacts that are smuggled abroad and selling them at international auctions.

These sites are subject to bulldozing despite the continuous calls and pleas of the Yemeni government to protect antiquities from being destroyed by Houthi violations. This is done through extensive dredging and excavation of ancient archeological sites in the provinces of Ibb and Dhamar in central Yemen, which were subjected to armed elements of the Houthi terrorist militia.

Destruction of infrastructure

Yemeni political analyst Mahmoud al-Taher said the Houthi terrorist militia destroyed infrastructure and turned facilities and service buildings into centers for recruiting, preparing and recruiting children and youth, sending them to camps to fuel its war against Yemenis.

Al-Taher added that terrorist practices caused the destruction of the most important facilities to be eliminated, saying that what the militias destroyed cannot be recovered easily. He noted that the practices of the Houthi militias are contrary to international humanitarian law, pointing out that the militias have transformed civilian facilities and sites, including schools, airports and hospitals, into camps.