Yemen’s ancient kingdom of Saba and Lebanon’s modernist concrete fair park added to the list of World Heritage sites in danger. Pre-Islamic Saba lies on one of the major front lines dividing Houthi rebels from Saudi coalition forces. The threat of destruction from the ongoing conflict was cited as the key reason to add the seven landmarks. Both sites will have access to enhanced technical and financial assistance. UNESCO has added Lebanon’s Rachid Karami International Fair complex to its list of World Heritage sites, citing concerns over its ”state of conservation”.
In 2015, airstrikes partially destroyed a section of the Great Marib Dam, near the Awwam Temple, one of the seven landmarks. Funding shortages continually interrupted construction before the half-built site was abandoned following the outbreak of civil war.
