Sana’a — The Yemeni government has accused Houthi militias of exploiting ancient archaeological sites in northern Yemen to conceal weapons and military equipment, in what officials described as a “flagrant violation of international law and cultural heritage norms.”

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Culture, authorities condemned the reported use of historic locations—including pre-Islamic temples and medieval fortresses—as covert arms depots and operational hideouts. The government claimed that recent intelligence and local testimonies revealed the presence of explosives, drones, and ammunition stockpiles inside protected heritage zones in the governorates of Dhamar, Saada, and parts of Sana’a.

“These actions not only endanger Yemen’s irreplaceable cultural legacy but also pose grave risks to surrounding civilian populations,” the statement read. “The Houthi militia continues to weaponize sacred and historical spaces, turning them into military targets and shielding their operations behind Yemen’s ancient identity.”

The government called on UNESCO and international heritage organizations to urgently investigate the violations and pressure the Houthis to withdraw from all archaeological sites. It also urged the United Nations to classify such practices as war crimes under international humanitarian law.

Local archaeologists and tribal leaders expressed alarm over the reports, warning that continued militarization of heritage sites could lead to irreversible damage and loss of centuries-old artifacts. Some sites have already suffered partial destruction due to airstrikes targeting suspected Houthi positions.

The accusations come amid escalating tensions and renewed calls for accountability as Yemen’s conflict enters its eleventh year, with cultural preservation increasingly caught in the crossfire.