Sana'a: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in cooperation with the Sana'a Capital Secretariat, concluded today the third phase of the emergency project to restore a number of historic houses in Old Sana'a. During the closing ceremony, Minister of Culture and Tourism Dr. Ali Al-Yafei and Sana'a Mayor Hamoud Obad, in the presence of Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Mohammed Al-Mawled, Member of Parliament Dr. Ali Abu Haleqa, senior Ansar Allah official Mahmoud Al-Junaid, and President of the General Authority for the Preservation of Historic Cities and Landmarks Abdulwahab Al-Mahdi, handed over 42 restored homes in Old Sana'a. The third phase was implemented at a cost of 100 million riyals, funded by the Capital Secretariat, supervised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and executed by the General Authority.
According to Yemen News Agency, Minister Al-Yafei stressed the ministry's commitment to preserving Old Sana'a and its historic landmarks, in line with the directives of the revolutionary and political leadership. He thanked the Capital Secretariat for financing the project, highlighting the authority's role in carrying out restorations with high engineering standards and authentic materials to maintain the city's heritage identity. He explained that this phase targeted 42 homes at risk of collapse, expressing hope for greater support in the fourth phase to restore additional houses. The ministry, he added, has plans to expand restoration projects in Zabid, Kawkaban, and other historic cities, depending on available resources.
For his part, Mayor Obad emphasized the project's importance, noting that it comes under the directives of the President of the Supreme Political Council, Field Marshal Mahdi Al-Mashat, in response to the city's deteriorating condition due to heavy rains and the withdrawal of international organizations from their responsibilities. He pointed out that the Secretariat had also funded the first and second phases of the project with 200 million riyals, and will finance the upcoming fourth phase after approval. He described Old Sana'a as a 'jewel of world heritage' and urged all parties to support the General Authority in safeguarding it, stressing the need for sustainable solutions and public awareness on maintaining historic homes.
Meanwhile, Al-Mahdi, President of the General Authority, noted that the third phase focused on the most impoverished households, severely damaged homes, and houses of high historical value. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Ali Shreim, officials from the tourism facilities and historical cities sectors, and the director of Old Sana'a district Mahdi Arhab.