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Historic Yemeni city struggles to survive war, corruption

The ancient city of Zabid, located in Yemen’s western coastal plains, is threatened by the ongoing fighting in the country and the corruption of local officials.

Boys are pictured on the side of a damaged house in the historical city of Zabid in the Yemeni province of Hodeidah May 15, 2013. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is threatening to remove the old city of Zabid, 25km (16 miles) on the road linking the port of Hodeidah to the city of Taiz, from the list of the world's protected heritage sites if the authorities do not stop the destruction of old buildings in favour of new cement ones.     REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi
Boys are seen at the side of a damaged house in the historic city of Zabid in the Yemeni province of Hodeidah, May 15, 2013. — REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi

SANAA, Yemen — One of Yemen’s most important ancient cities, Zabid, is struggling to maintain its cultural significance amid the destruction of war and simple neglect by city officials.

The armed conflict that has erupted in Yemen has resulted in serious damage being inflicted to most of the country’s cultural and heritage sites. Some historic buildings and cities have been the scenes of clashes, and archaeological sites and museums have sustained damage from bombing. 

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