Other countries would have preserved it': Yemenis mourn the demolition of historic mud-brick palaces

"It was heartbreaking to see Tarim's history and legacy being quietly destroyed, Musaied says. The destruction of Abdul Rahman Bin Sheikh al-Kaf's palace in Tarim has caused outrage across the city Musaied uploaded his images on social media. His film shows about half of the magnificent palace in ruins, revealing the interiors, including exquisite roofs, whitewashed columns and wooden windows. Other countries would have preserved it, even if it were only 30 years old, he says."

"It was built between the world wars by affluent members of the al-Kaf family, traders who acquired their money in Singapore during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Mohammed al-Kaf, the palace's owner, blamed the Yemeni government for failing to finance repairs and said neighbours had complained about the state of the building and possible damage to nearby residences should it collapse."

Bulldozers demolished Abdul Rahman Bin Sheikh al-Kaf's mud-brick palace in Tarim, sending dust into the air and drawing a local gathering. Journalist Haddad Musaied filmed the demolition, recording the disintegration of a palace that had endured storms and war. The footage shows about half the palace in ruins and reveals interiors with exquisite roofs, whitewashed columns and wooden windows. The home was one of 30 mud-brick palaces in Tarim, built between the world wars by al-Kaf family traders who earned fortunes in Singapore. Owner Mohammed al-Kaf blamed the Yemeni government for failing to fund repairs, while neighbours had complained about possible damage to nearby residences.

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