Sanaa – The General Organization for Antiquities and Museums in Sanaa has reported that 34 rare Yemeni artifacts were completely destroyed following Israeli airstrikes that struck near the National Museum complex in Tahrir Square on September 10. 

The strikes, which targeted surrounding areas, caused extensive structural damage to the museum and its historical collections.

In an official statement released this week, the authority confirmed that over 735 artifacts were affected by the blasts, with 34 of them—classified as rare and irreplaceable—reduced to fragments. Among the most severely damaged pieces was the renowned bronze statue of the “Lady of Incense,” dating back to the 5th century BCE, whose arms were shattered in the impact.

The museum, one of Yemen’s most significant cultural institutions, houses thousands of artifacts spanning the country’s ancient civilizations. The recent damage has raised alarm among cultural heritage advocates and international observers, who warn of the irreversible loss of Yemen’s historical legacy amid ongoing regional conflict.

Officials from the antiquities authority described the destruction as “a cultural catastrophe,” calling on international organizations to condemn the targeting of heritage sites and to support efforts to document and preserve what remains.

The Israeli military has not commented on the specific allegations regarding the museum damage. The airstrikes, which reportedly killed at least 35 people and injured more than 130, have drawn widespread condemnation from humanitarian groups.

The incident underscores the growing threat to cultural heritage in conflict zones, where ancient artifacts and historical landmarks are increasingly caught in the crossfire.