News - Yemen: The General Authority for Antiquities and Museums in Sana'a strongly condemned the bombing of the historic Dome of the Virgin Mary, located in the Al-Sharifah area under the control of aggression mercenaries in Al-Dhalea province.

In an official statement, the Authority emphasized that the dome is not a place of worship but a historical landmark containing graves dating back hundreds of years. It described the site as a rare architectural gem and a symbol of historical significance.

The Authority called on international organizations concerned with the protection of human heritage to take responsibility for the systematic targeting and deliberate destruction of Yemeni heritage. It stressed that such actions constitute a crime against Yemen’s history and civilization.

The Authority also warned that the continued silence of the international community regarding these violations encourages further tampering with Yemen’s cultural and human legacy. It called for those responsible for this criminal act to be held accountable.

Since 2015, Yemen has been under attack by a Saudi-led coalition, backed by the United States and Britain, in a war described as causing the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. Alongside mass casualties, famine, and disease, Yemen’s cultural heritage has suffered immense destruction.

Saudi and Emirati airstrikes have targeted over 237 archaeological sites, including UNESCO-listed landmarks such as the ancient walls of Sana’a and the Marib High Dam. Entire museums and ancient cities like Baraqish have been reduced to rubble. Looting has compounded the damage, with UAE-backed mercenary groups—many linked to Daesh and Al-Qaeda—plundering artifacts across occupied regions.

Between 1991 and 2022, more than 4,200 Yemeni artifacts were sold at auctions in the West. As of today, over 1,300 stolen pieces are displayed in major international museums.

Despite these violations, international organizations and Western governments have remained largely silent. The recent bombing of the Virgin Mary Dome in Al-Dhalea is yet another act in a broader campaign to erase Yemen’s cultural and historical identity.