News - Yemen: The General Authority for Antiquities and Museums on Tuesday issued a new list documenting looted Yemeni artifacts, drawing renewed attention to the continued plunder of the country’s heritage amid years of war, blockade, and foreign intervention.

In its statement, the Authority reported that 26 Yemeni antiquities are currently being traded in international auctions, foreign museums, and private collections. Seven of these pieces were put up for sale in December alone, underscoring what it described as an escalating wave of illicit trafficking.

The updated list includes an artifact previously held in the personal collection of a former French diplomat and minister — evidence, the Authority said, of the extent of Western involvement and the “systematic targeting” of Yemen’s cultural legacy.

According to the statement, this release marks the 30th official list compiled to track and document smuggled Yemeni artifacts abroad.

The Authority renewed its call on relevant international bodies to halt illegal auctions and ensure the repatriation of stolen antiquities. It warned that the continuation of such activities represents an ongoing campaign to strip Yemen of its historical identity and national assets — a process it said parallels the broader impacts of the Saudi-U.S.-led aggression on Yemen’s land, resources, and political sovereignty.

The Authority also urged citizens and anyone with information on stolen sites or artifacts to come forward via the official reporting form on its website or through its verified social media channels.

The statement comes amid persistent threats to Yemen’s cultural heritage, which has faced systematic looting and smuggling networks reportedly facilitated by American and British actors. Several Yemeni pieces have appeared in museums in both countries, according to the Authority, further fueling concerns over international complicity in the dismantling of Yemen’s historical patrimony.

Yemen, widely regarded as one of the cradles of ancient civilization, has seen extensive looting of its museums, archaeological sites, and historical landmarks since the outbreak of the US-Saudi aggression, with many priceless artifacts ending up in Western markets and private collections despite repeated demands for their restitution.