Eighteen Houthi attacks reported on cultural and historical properties in Yemen

The Yemeni National Committee for Investigating Allegations of Human Rights Violations has recorded that the Houthis have committed 18 attacks on people, cultural, and historical properties and caused damage to them in several provinces, from August 1, 2022, until the end of July 2023.

The committee, in its latest report, confirmed that attacking or damaging cultural, historical, and religious properties is considered a crime according to national legislation, as well as a serious violation of international agreements, including the Hague Convention ratified by the Republic of Yemen.

Moreover, it violates the provisions of Article 16 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Geneva Convention, which prohibits committing any hostile acts against historical monuments and artworks that constitute the cultural and spiritual heritage of peoples.

The report said that the committee monitored and investigated cases of alleged attacks and damage to cultural and historical assets, and found the Houthis responsible for these attacks.

The report referred to the incident of the bombing of the historical Al-Maqah temple in the Sirwah district of Marib governorate on January 14, 2016.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently announced the inclusion of the ancient civilization of the Kingdom of Sheba's artifacts in Marib, dating back to the 11th century BC, on the list of World Heritage Sites at risk.

The government report highlighted the incident of the invasion of the House of Art and its conversion into a weapons storage in Al-Mahweet city on September 30, 2019, by Rashid Marwan who was appointed by the Houthis as a supervisor of the security squares in the center of the province (currently the director general of Al-Mahweet directorate).