Yemen : Illegal Excavation in Historic Dhofar Site, Artifacts Looted Amid Accusations of Negligence

Ibb — A historic archaeological site in Dhofar, located in Al-Sadda district southeast of Ibb province under Houthi control, was subjected to unauthorized digging and looting of artifacts, which were later smuggled out of the area. 

Local activists accused the provincial Antiquities Office of negligence and failure to act.

Residents of Al-Arafa village reported that on May 25, a group of influential figures allegedly backed by the Houthi militia carried out a three-day excavation using specialized detection equipment inside a well-known heritage site. 

Despite the site being guarded by more than thirty personnel assigned to protect archaeological landmarks, witnesses said the guards were absent throughout the operation. The looters reportedly left aboard a bus bound for Yarim without obstruction.

Activists criticized the Antiquities Office in Ibb, controlled by the Houthis, for ignoring complaints filed about the incident. According to local accounts, the militia-appointed director of the office was informed via a WhatsApp message but took no action to investigate or halt the looting.

The incident has sparked widespread questions about the effectiveness of the protection force, given that the excavation continued for several days and resulted in the removal of valuable artifacts without intervention.