Report details damage to ancient Yemeni archaeological sites

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Report details damage to ancient Yemeni archaeological sites

By MAGGIE MICHAEL
today

CAIRO (AP) — A prominent Yemeni rights group has documented heavy damage from ground fighting and airstrikes to at least 34 archaeological sites over the past four years and urged the international community to protect Yemenis’ “collective memory.”

In a lengthy report titled “The Degradation of History” released Thursday, Yemen’s Mawatana Organization for Human Rights collected the testimonies of over 75 people working at archaeological sites and monuments that came under attack. The sites are located in nine governorates including the capital Sanaa, Aden, and the eastern governorate of Marib.

“The war in Yemen has impacted everything and has not spared the lives of Yemenis and their cultural property, including their rich history, unifying culture and collective memory,” said Radhya al-Mutawakel, who heads Mawatana. “It is not only a loss for Yemenis, but also for the cultural heritage of all peoples.”

The report covers airstrikes and other attacks since mid-2014, when Yemen’s Houthi rebels descended from their highlands and occupied most of the northern region. Houthis forced the legitimate government to flee the country and seek military intervention from gulf neighbors. In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition backing the government waged an extensive air campaign against Houthis and imposed a land, sea and air embargo. Within a few months, the coalition pushed the Houthis out of the southern region while the north remained in the Houthis’ grip.

Among the sites that have been damaged is the Old City section of the capital Sanaa, which is on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. It has come under heavy airstrikes several times that have demolished many of the area’s ancient buildings.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/de89f39c848446a086a7af29956d93ba

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

1. It was sad when it happened in Iraq, and Syria, Egypt and other places...

and sad here too. That's why wars aren't options for modern societies. Cultural antiquities should be the first things hidden and saved when conflicts break out. Once these things are gone, they're gone. End the wars in the Middle east. There's almost zero news or progress in Iraq and Afghanistan and it's just a budget drain on the USA some 20 years later. (for starters) Just an excuse to maintain unbelievable budgets for the military. Incomprehensible what is done in the name of war.