Project Masam: Clearing Yemeni lands of mines to save lives
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, through its pioneering humanitarian project "Masam," continues its tireless efforts to clear Yemeni lands of landmines. This noble project aims to save the lives of innocent civilians from the ever-present threat of death. During the fourth week of April, the project's engineering teams achieved another milestone, successfully removing 1,273 landmines and unexploded ordnance from various regions and cities across Yemen. This haul included 105 anti-tank mines, 3 anti-personnel mines, 1,157 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and 8 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), highlighting the significant challenges faced by the field teams.
The historical context of explosives cultivation and its tragic impact
The spread of this deadly scourge dates back to the years of ongoing conflict in Yemen, where hundreds of thousands of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been indiscriminately planted in villages, schools, roads, and farms. These practices have not been confined to areas of active combat but have extended to residential areas, transforming vast swathes of the country into minefields that threaten the lives of civilians, especially children, women, and the elderly. Historically, the Yemeni crisis is considered one of the worst humanitarian crises to have witnessed the extensive use of landmines, necessitating urgent international and regional intervention to mitigate this catastrophe and protect the lives of local populations who have lost their livelihoods and freedom of movement.
Field achievements in clearing Yemeni lands of mines
On the ground, operations continue steadily. In Aden Governorate, the MASAM team successfully removed one unexploded ordnance in the Khormaksar district and 247 pieces of unexploded ordnance in the Aden district. In Al Dhale' Governorate, specifically in the Qa'tabah district, two anti-personnel mines were removed. In Al Hudaydah Governorate, the team successfully removed two pieces of unexploded ordnance in the Hays district. Efforts did not stop there. In Hadramawt Governorate (Al Mukalla district), two anti-tank mines, 162 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were removed. In Hajjah Governorate (Midi district), one anti-personnel mine, 93 anti-tank mines, 353 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and three IEDs were removed. In Lahj Governorate (Al Mudharabah district), six anti-tank mines and two pieces of unexploded ordnance were removed. The operations extended to Marib Governorate, where 350 unexploded ordnance were removed, and to Shabwa Governorate (Ain District), where 4 unexploded ordnance were removed. In Taiz, mines and various types of ordnance were removed in the districts of Mocha, Dhubab, and Saluh.
Human dimensions and the overall impact of the Kingdom's efforts
The strategic and humanitarian importance of the MASAM project extends far beyond simply removing explosives; it represents a lifeline that restores hope to Yemeni society. Locally, the project contributes to the return of displaced persons to their villages, the reclamation of agricultural land, and the reopening of blocked roads, positively impacting the economy and the daily lives of citizens. Regionally and internationally, these efforts underscore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to its leading role in supporting stability and peace in the region and protecting human rights from the grave violations posed by indiscriminate landmine planting. By the end of April, the total number of mines and unexploded ordnance removed since the project's inception had reached 557,007. Through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the Kingdom continues to dedicate all its resources to ensuring a safe environment that allows our Yemeni brothers and sisters to live in dignity and peace, free from the specter of death that has long threatened the future of generations.
