Paint licking for Yemen's historic Sana'a, where the truce continues

SANAA — Yemeni architect Zaid al-Kuhlani has his scaffolding around a stained glass window that is part of a larger scale. I saw workers paint white paint A UNESCO-registered historic Old Sanaa restoration effort that has withstood years of bombing during the war.

Due to the UN-mediated ceasefire, the sounds of traffic and the horns of cars replaced the horns of fighters, so pulleys and ropes were used to remove the characteristic brown mud of the city. Lifted to the top of a unique tower house that was damaged.

"We have 300 to 350 years of historic buildings, and each house has a unique historical background and architectural style," Kuhlani said. I am saying. Old Sana'a dates back to at least the 8th century.

Kuhlani's work at the Yemeni General Organization (GOPHCY) for the preservation of historic cities is the discovery of traditional materials, the securing and integration of buildings, and ultimately them. He added that it extends to the renovation of.

Sana'a and northern Yemen are numbers from a Saudi-led coalition that intervened in the country's civil war in 2015 after the Houthi group allied with Iran expelled an internationally recognized government last year. Faced with a thousand airstrikes.

Both sides agreed in April on a UN ceasefire proposal to suspend air, sea and land attacks while allowing imports into Houthi-controlled seaports and partial reopening of Sana'a Airport. .. The ceasefire is the first comprehensive agreement in a war that has killed tens of thousands and put Yemen on the brink of famine.

GOPHCY Vice-Chairman Aqilal-Nusairi was hit hard in Sanaa's historic district, damaging about 5,000 buildings, including 380 that were about to collapse. Said received.

"Many of these buildings were restored when the old Sana'a signaled a distress, which was responded to by some international donors through UNESCO," Nusairi said. Said.

Anas Al Schwaibi, who owns one of the tower houses, may be impatient with residents as he struggles with rent elsewhere while waiting for the house to be repaired. I said it was a challenge.

During the war, bricks were used to seal the windows of some buildings as residents tried to protect their families from shrapnel, taking them into Sanaa's uniquely colored windows. I replaced it.

Inside the house, workers wearing bright green vests and helmets labeled "Cash Project for Work" covered the wooden ceiling with brown mud. Was there.

"We live in a vibrant city with unique history, buildings, streets, plans, urban structures, traditions, music and manuscripts," said Nusairi of GOPHCY.

"Everything in them is heritage." (Written by Aziz El Yaakoubi, edited by Emeria Sithole-Matarise)