US destroys Ottoman fortress in Yemen, sparking outrage over cultural heritage loss

A series of U.S. airstrikes have struck the historic Nuqum Fortress, also known as Al-Qishla, perched atop Mount Nuqum in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The fortress, a rare architectural relic from the Ottoman era, was heavily damaged by the bombardment, prompting widespread condemnation from archaeologists and cultural heritage organizations.

According to Yemen’s General Organization of Antiquities and Museums, the American airstrikes targeted one of the nation’s most iconic historical and archaeological landmarks. “This is a blatant attack on Yemeni history and heritage,” the authority stated.

Fortress built by Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II on ancient Sabaean ruins

According to the Al-Hudhud Center for Archaeological Studies, the Nuqum Fortress dates back to the early 20th century during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. It was constructed atop the remains of a much older structure believed to originate from the Sabaean Kingdom in the eighth century B.C.

The site has yielded significant historical finds, including clay tablets inscribed with Musnad script, an ancient South Arabian writing system. Archaeologists also discovered a rock-carved rainwater pool and an extensive archive of both pre-Islamic and Islamic calligraphy, further proving its cultural importance.

Yemeni experts condemn ‘war crime’ and call for global action

The Al-Hudhud Center for Archaeological Studies issued a strong statement condemning the United States for what it described as a “war crime” and “an unjustified escalation” in the ongoing destruction of Yemen’s cultural sites.

“The U.S. aggression constitutes a violation of international conventions protecting cultural heritage,” the statement said, referencing the 1954 Hague Convention and the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. “The targeting of al-Qishla represents not just a crime against Yemen but a crime against humanity.”

Al-Qishla, an old fortress in Sana'a after and before America bombed it last night … pic.twitter.com/sVwajhZPQm

— Harold6760 (@harold676078146) April 10, 2025

Cultural heritage under siege

Experts warn that repeated attacks on cultural landmarks threaten to erase centuries of Yemeni history. “Preserving Yemen’s cultural heritage is a national and international responsibility,” the Al-Hudhud Center emphasized. “This destruction must be stopped before more irreplaceable history is lost.”

UN urged to act against ‘blatant aggression’

The center urged the United Nations and relevant international bodies to take immediate and decisive action.

“We call on the global community to hold the aggressors accountable and to ensure the protection of humanity’s shared heritage,” the statement concluded.