Archaeological Center demands return of looted artifacts, condemns destruction of heritage
Al-Hudhud Center for Archaeological Studies has asserted Yemen's right to pursue legal action to reclaim its looted artifacts, citing international laws, treaties, and norms. The center condemned countries that harbor these smuggled archaeological pieces.
In a statement, the center denounced the targeting of Yemen's cultural heritage as a war crime, emphasizing the looting, smuggling, and trafficking of artifacts that have occurred.
The center highlighted the devastating impact of the ten-year aggression, stating that thousands have been martyred and wounded, and numerous archaeological and historical sites have been targeted by the Suadi-led aggression.
They reported the destruction of over 9,810 archaeological and historical sites, including three UNESCO World Heritage sites (Old Sana'a, Shabam Hadramout, and Zabid), as well as 105 mosques and mausoleums, and nine museums. The center specifically accused American and Emirati aggression of destroying 63 of those sites.
Al-Hudhud Center called on the UN Security Council, UNESCO, and Interpol to condemn these crimes and take measures to prevent further targeting of cultural heritage and facilitate the return of smuggled artifacts. They also called for the expulsion of aggressor nations from UNESCO membership.
Furthermore, the center announced the launch of "Naba" project to monitor affected archaeological sites and looted artifacts, inviting citizens and interested parties to report information via WhatsApp, Telegram, or their website. The project aims to document the extent of the damage and loss of Yemen's historical treasures.
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