Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb Al-Rahwi on Saturday emphasized that protecting antiquities and combating their smuggling is a national responsibility that requires the combined efforts of all central and local authorities, as well as the residents of archaeological areas.
During his meeting with Minister of Culture and Tourism Dr. Ali Al-Yafi’i and the Head of the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums, Abad Al-Hayal, the Prime Minister stressed that antiquities are the heritage, identity, and history of the country, and that smuggling and trading them is a major crime.
The meeting discussed the ministry and authority’s vision for preserving archaeological sites and combating the smuggling of Yemeni antiquities.
This effort would involve cooperation with security forces and local authorities to stop the ongoing theft of Yemen’s antiquities and the misattribution of them to other countries.
They also discussed the ministry’s efforts to monitor artifacts abroad and their confiscation by competent authorities in various countries, in preparation for demanding their return.
Dr. Al-Yafi’i presented an overview of the archaeological situation in the country and the ministry’s efforts to protect antiquities and historic cities.
He pointed out that the ministry has prepared two projects within the state’s framework and its commitment to preserving antiquities.
The first is the Yemen Archaeological Register, through which all archaeological sites in the country’s governorates will be recorded.
The second project aims to secure the archaeological sites in Al-Jawf Governorate by declaring it an archaeological reserve.
He emphasized the importance of these projects in the protection of Yemeni antiquities, particularly in Al-Jawf, which is one of the largest archaeological regions.
The Prime Minister directed Minister Al-Yafi’i to submit both projects to the Cabinet for discussion and appropriate action.
