Former Official Denounces Houthi Actions Threatening Sanaa's Historic Sites

A former official within the Houthi administration has voiced strong condemnation regarding alleged acts of vandalism and urban alterations targeting the Grand Mosque and historic landmarks in Sanaa. Mutahar Ahmed Taqi, formerly the Deputy Minister of Information in the unrecognized Houthi government, claims these actions by Houthi authorities pose a significant threat to the city's cultural heritage.

Taqi elaborated on his concerns in a social media post, stating that the Endowment Authority and the Dar al-Ifta, both under Houthi control, are undertaking destructive activities within the vicinity of the Grand Mosque. He highlighted past instances where the Endowment Authority allegedly sold the Al-Mashhad graveyard and leased a portion of the Al-Basha Mosque, reportedly for commercial development. Taqi described these measures as an assault on endowed properties and historical legacy.

He further emphasized that Sanaa's Old City, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is bound by international legal obligations to preserve its historical character. Taqi questioned the inaction of relevant authorities, cultural figures, and legal professionals in the face of what he termed "vandalism" affecting the city's architectural heritage, calling for immediate legal intervention to halt these practices.

Information circulating among residents near the Grand Mosque suggests a plan to demolish several historic residential buildings to the west and south of the mosque, ostensibly to construct a university and public gathering spaces. Taqi warned against any encroachment on one of Yemen's oldest historical districts.

Taqi squarely placed responsibility on the Houthi Endowment Authority for the alleged degradation of Sanaa's cultural legacy and the damage to endowed properties. He urged concerned bodies to intervene promptly to cease these actions.

He concluded by asserting that safeguarding Yemeni heritage is a national imperative, advocating for the protection of Sanaa's Old City, the preservation of its archaeological sites, and the prevention of any changes that compromise its historical identity.