Sana'a – One of Yemen’s most iconic cultural institutions, the National Museum in Sana’a, has officially closed its doors due to an acute inability to cover operational expenses, according to officials from the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums.

The closure marks a significant blow to Yemen’s cultural heritage preservation efforts, as the museum housed thousands of rare artifacts spanning ancient civilizations including the Sabaean, Himyarite, and Islamic periods. The museum had long served as a symbol of national identity and resilience, surviving years of conflict and airstrikes that damaged surrounding infrastructure.

Museum administrators cited a lack of government funding, donor withdrawal, and deteriorating economic conditions as key factors behind the shutdown. “We’ve reached a point where we can no longer afford basic maintenance, staff salaries, or security measures to protect the collection,” said a senior official at the Antiquities Authority.

The decision comes amid a broader crisis in Yemen’s cultural sector, where museums across the country have struggled to remain operational due to war-related damage, looting, and neglect. The Taiz Museum, for example, lost nearly 70% of its collection to shelling and theft.

Cultural experts warn that the closure of the Sana’a museum could accelerate the loss of irreplaceable historical artifacts, many of which are vulnerable to illegal trafficking. Calls have been made for international organizations to intervene and support emergency preservation efforts.

Despite past collaborations with global heritage institutions, including restoration work at the Louvre Museum in 2008, Yemen’s museums now face an uncertain future as economic collapse and conflict continue to erode the country’s cultural foundations.