Local Editor
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO] has called for stopping the destructive acts of the cultural heritage in Yemen.
While commenting on the airstrikes by the Saudi aggression on the Old City of Sana’a, the Director-General of the UNESCO, Irina Bokova, said that, "The cultural heritage is a part of the memory and the identity of communities as well as an important reference for future conciliation and sustainable development and must be respected".
"The Old City of Sana’a was re-attacked on the 18th and 19th of September as the airstrikes destroyed Aal Al-Aiyni residence. The Old City of Sana’a is considered a wonderful example of the old Islamic construction enlisted in the World Heritage since 1986", she said.
She urged for an immediate end to the targeting of cultural heritage, mainly in historical and residential areas where the cultural heritage should not be affected during conflicts.
She has also repeatedly called for respecting the Convention of 1954 and its two additional protocols regarding the protection of cultural properties during armed conflicts.
A Saudi-led coalition backed by the United States has been carrying out a military aggression on Yemen by launching airstrikes against the country since March 26. The airstrikes have not been authorized by the United Nations [UN].
