The UN cultural agency on Thursday placed two ancient cities in conflict-torn Yemen, Sana’a and Shibam, on its list of endangered World Heritage sites. UNESCO said Sana’a, known for its many Islamic sites and multi-storey rammed earth houses, ‘sustained serious damage due to armed conflict’ between Iran-backed rebels and the beleaguered Saudi-supported government. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said the Qasimi neighbourhood near the urban garden of Miqshamat al Qasimi had sustained ‘particularly serious damage’. UNESCO is meeting through July 8 in the northwest city of Bonn where it will consider at least 36 natural and cultural sites vying to get World Heritage status. The 12th century al-Mahdi Mosque has also been affected and ‘the majority of the colourful, decorated doors and window panes characteristic of the

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