News - Yemen: Yemen's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ali Qasim Al-Yafai, stated that the formation of a new coalition in Yemen's occupied provinces, under US sponsorship, is an attempt to reorganize the plans of invaders and occupiers. 

Al-Yafai described the political entities in the occupied provinces as mere puppets controlled by the American Democratic Institute. He stressed that the newly formed "political coalition" will not succeed in achieving its objectives.

"The so-called 'political coalition' in the occupied provinces will fail to achieve US objectives. Yemen will ultimately prevail," Al-Yafai said. He also accused the UAE of exploiting the southern cause and treating the so-called "Transitional Council" as a subordinate entity.

He added, "The US is acting in the interest of the Israeli entity, but it will ultimately fail." Al-Yafai highlighted that the US, alongside Britain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other countries, launched aggression against Yemen but has failed in its objectives.

The minister emphasized the importance of the cultural front in educating society about the dangers of occupation and attempts to manipulate and exploit the environment.

He pointed out that the political forces in the occupied provinces are widely regarded as mercenaries and cannot convince the public of their patriotism. "There is a common belief in the occupied provinces that mercenary leaders are focused solely on their personal interests," he said.

Al-Yafai noted that the occupied provinces have become hubs of oppression, tyranny, security chaos, and property looting. He criticized those celebrating Yemen's November 30 Independence Day in the occupied provinces, saying their actions contradict the principles of independence.

He also warned about UAE efforts to erode Yemeni identity on the island of Socotra. He called on the people in southern provinces to recognize the historical accountability of their actions.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the minister revealed that many Yemeni artifacts are being smuggled through mercenaries to Aden and then abroad. He accused Saudi and Emirati entities of facilitating the smuggling of these artifacts.

He suggested that the UAE's targeting of Yemeni heritage and history stems from its lack of historical identity, likening it to the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq during the American occupation, instigated by groups like Daesh.

"We are working to protect Yemeni antiquities, and we will not allow the continued smuggling of Yemeni artifacts. We will take the necessary measures to recover what has been smuggled," he said.

Since the start of the US-Saudi-Emirati aggression on Yemen in 2015, Yemeni historical artifacts have been subjected to theft, looting, and smuggling abroad.
Since the start of the US-Saudi-Emirati aggression on Yemen in 2015, rare Yemeni historical artifacts have been subjected to theft, looting, and smuggling abroad. 

Reports tracking stolen and smuggled Yemeni artifacts revealed that approximately 4,265 Yemeni archaeological pieces were sold in 16 international auctions in the United States and Europe, hosted by renowned international auction houses specializing in antiquities in six Western countries between 1991 and 2022.

In recent years, Yemeni artifacts sold in international auctions reached 2,610 pieces, including 2,167 in the United States, with a total value exceeding 12 million dollars. Currently, 1,384 smuggled and stolen Yemeni artifacts are displayed in seven international museums.