The Yemeni Human Rights Organization recently published a report revealing the consequences of the war in Yemen on the cultural heritage and the extent of the losses resulting from the deliberate destruction of the archaeological and cultural landmarks of the country.
In a report published in the Russian daily Kommersant, writer Daniel Fighet said the fighting was continuing despite reports by humanitarian organizations. The hopes for the settlement are linked to a new round of peace negotiations between the Huthi rebels (Ansar Allah) and the authorities backed by the Saudi-led coalition. A meeting is scheduled for late this month in Sweden, and the agenda for this meeting has yet to be determined.
The author noted that the 33rd anniversary of the founding of UNESCO, the Yemeni organization "Citizenship of Human Rights" report that the war led to the destruction and destruction of archaeological sites dating back thousands of years.
| Yemen's heritage dates back some 1200 years (Russian press) |
"The war has cast a shadow over every place and destroyed the lives of Yemenis and their cultural heritage, which is one of the symbols of Yemen's history and collective memory," said Radia al-Mutawakel, head of Human Rights for Human Rights.
28 destruction incidents
The author added that the experts prepared a list documenting 28 destruction incidents of important milestones. This information is confirmed by local residents' testimonies. The list includes the bombing of the old Marib Dam, the Kokaban Fort, Dar Al Hajar Palace and Al Hadi Mosque. In a press release, Saudi-backed Salafi fighters reportedly demolished the remains of an old mosque in the Al-Faza area dating back to 1200 years.
He noted that the situation reminds us of what is happening in Syria and Iraq. Since 2014, state elements have destroyed cemeteries, museums, mosques and temples under the pretext of applying the teachings of Sharia, but the real goal is to destroy the historical, cultural and religious heritage of the Middle East. One of the losses is the destruction of the Arc de Triomphe of the Roman Emperor Ceptimus Severus in Palmyra.
When it comes to sabotage of cultural property during military conflicts, experts often talk about the destruction of Buddha statues by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001.
Respect for values
In their report, the members of Human Rights for Human Rights demanded that the participants in the Yemeni conflict respect cultural values and called on the international community to preserve Yemen's civilization and history and protect it from the warring parties. They also stressed the need for the UN Security Council to take the necessary measures to end the suffering of Yemenis.
| Ancient Sanaa .. fragrant history and the flower present (Al Jazeera) |
He said that the civil war that broke out in 2014 after the storming of the Houthi forces in the city of Amran in the northwest. Since then, the conflict between Shiite forces and the government has intensified, with the Arab alliance led by Riyadh in 2015. The war has claimed more than 10,000 lives and left the rest of the population on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Yemen is drowning
"Yemen is increasingly drowning in the cycle of violence," the ICRC quoted the ICRC as saying. "It is necessary to abide by the standards of war." "Given the scale of the losses caused by this war, the ICRC welcomes any peace initiatives and is ready to provide all necessary support," the organization said in a press release.
Peace initiatives had not been a real success. Last week, the government's military, supported by the coalition, launched a new operation in Hodeidah. The next attempt to end the conflict is expected to be under UN auspices in Sweden at the end of this month.
In an interview with the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Dhaifallah al-Shami, the information minister of the Houthi government, said the meeting's agenda had yet to be determined. "We always call for peace, and we welcome any call for peace by the United Nations and others if a clear vision and a specific agenda are provided," he said.