Houthis Accused of Smuggling 4,800 Yemeni Manuscripts, Antiquities

Awwam Temple, also known as the Mahram Bilqis, in Marib, Yemen. (AP)
Awwam Temple, also known as the Mahram Bilqis, in Marib, Yemen. (AP)
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Houthis Accused of Smuggling 4,800 Yemeni Manuscripts, Antiquities

Awwam Temple, also known as the Mahram Bilqis, in Marib, Yemen. (AP)
Awwam Temple, also known as the Mahram Bilqis, in Marib, Yemen. (AP)

Yemeni Workers in the antiquities sector accused the Houthi militia of systematic destruction of national artifacts, through smuggling, trading, bombing, and using the museums as military barracks.

Last year, Yemeni officials accused the group of smuggling and looting over 14,000 rare Yemeni manuscripts and hundreds of artifacts.

A number of antiquities workers told Asharq Al-Awsat that prominent Houthi leaders had smuggled since the beginning of this year, more than 4,800 antiquities and manuscripts, dating back to hundreds of years.

The artifacts were sent to Iran, Lebanon, and other countries after they were stolen from museums and archaeological sites in areas under the group's control.

Some workers at the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums in Sanaa noted that the insurgents are looting many manuscripts from museums in Sanaa and other Yemeni cities.

Sources indicated that prominent Houthi leaders in Sanaa still possess many antiquities, including large and small bronze statues, inscriptions, gold and silver coins, amulets, tablets, and others.

They noted that local archeologists are following Houthi directives in excavating manuscripts and ancient monuments in dozens of mosques and historical sites in areas under the group’s control.

The workers warned that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, Hassan Erlo, who was assigned as Iran's ambassador to Yemen, is involved in the operations tampering with the historical repository of Yemen.

They pointed out that Erlo, accompanied by prominent Houthi leaders, visited the Old Sanaa, noting that it exposes the group's intentions, and confirms that they are continuing to loot artifacts and manuscripts.

Employees working at the Yemeni Antiquities Authority in Sanaa accused the group of looting and smuggling many valuable manuscripts and artifacts from the National Museum.

They explained that the stolen antiquities are smuggled through illegal networks to be sold abroad.

Meanwhile, a number of authority officials told Asharq Al-Awsat that more than 16,000 historical documents, various artifacts, and ancient weapons have disappeared from the Military Museum in Sanaa.

In addition, over 13,000 pieces were taken from Dhamar Museum, in addition to thousands of pieces and manuscripts from other museums in Ibb and other cities ran by Houthis.

The officials, who preferred not to be named, estimated that there were more than 120,000 artifacts in the National Museum before the coup, and over 60 percent of those pieces were taken.

The United Nations Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) said in a statement that it is leading, with the European Union, international efforts to preserve culture and heritage in Yemen.

On 26 and 27 May, UNESCO and the EU will host an online conference “Restoring Livelihoods Through Culture in Yemen” bringing together key stakeholders, implementation partners, and young Yemenis, who will explore ways to engage youth to revive Yemen’s rich cultural heritage.

Archeologists say that the Houthi militia will likely sell the antiquities and manuscripts as a new financial source for its war effort.



EU’s Kallas Says She Hopes for Political Agreement on Easing Syria Sanctions

In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)
In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)
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EU’s Kallas Says She Hopes for Political Agreement on Easing Syria Sanctions

In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)
In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday she hopes a political agreement on easing Syria sanctions can be reached at a gathering of European ministers next week.

EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Syria during a meeting in Brussels on Jan. 27.

European officials began rethinking their approach towards Syria after Bashar al-Assad was ousted as president by opposition forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which the United Nations designates as a terrorist group.

Some European capitals want to move quickly to suspend economic sanctions in a signal of support for the transition in Damascus. Others have sought to ensure that even if some sanctions are eased, Brussels retains leverage in its relationship with the new Syrian authorities.

“We are ready to do step-for-step approach and also to discuss what is the fallback position,” Kallas told Reuters in an interview.

“If we see that the developments are going in the wrong direction, then we are also willing to put them back,” she added.

Six EU member states called this month for the bloc to temporarily suspend sanctions on Syria in areas such as transport, energy and banking.

Current EU sanctions include a ban on Syrian oil imports and a freeze on any Syrian central bank assets in Europe.