Details of the success of the Masam project in removing 839 landmines from Yemeni lands
achieved The Masam Project a new field milestone during the first week of May. The project's engineering teams successfully removed 839 mines and unexploded ordnance from various Yemeni regions and cities. This included 95 anti-tank mines, 12 anti-personnel mines, 721 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and 11 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), reflecting the significant challenges the engineering teams face daily.
The historical roots of the landmine crisis in Yemen
Since the outbreak of armed conflict in 2014, Yemen has been suffering from a dire humanitarian crisis, one of its most tragic aspects being landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Hundreds of thousands of mines have been indiscriminately planted in villages, farms, schools, and main roads. This widespread mine contamination has not been confined to military front lines but has extended to residential areas, resulting in thousands of innocent civilian casualties and hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid. In response to this catastrophe, the project was launched in mid-2018 as an urgent humanitarian response from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to save Yemeni lives and secure their future.
Geographical distribution of recent clearing operations
The engineering teams' efforts were spread across several vital Yemeni governorates. In Aden Governorate, specifically in Aden District, 242 unexploded ordnance were removed. In Al Dhale' Governorate, one unexploded ordnance was removed in Qa'tabah District. On the western coast, in Al Hudaydah Governorate, one anti-personnel mine was removed in Hays District, and one anti-tank mine in Al Khawkhah District.
In Hadramawt Governorate, the team in Al-Mukalla District removed 7 anti-personnel mines, 127 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and 3 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Meanwhile, in Hajjah Governorate, specifically in Midi District, they removed 4 anti-personnel mines, 79 anti-tank mines, 91 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and 7 IEDs.
The teams also continued their work in Marib Governorate, where they removed one improvised explosive device (IED) in Ragwan District, an anti-tank mine and five pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Al Wadi District, and 12 anti-tank mines and 215 pieces of UXO in Marib District. In Taiz Governorate, UXO was removed in Al Mokha, two anti-tank mines and 21 pieces of UXO in Dhubab, and three pieces of UXO in Al Qahirah District.
The human dimensions and overall impact of the Masam project efforts
The importance of the Masam project extends beyond mere numbers and statistics, encompassing a profound impact at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, these efforts contribute to protecting civilian lives, particularly those of children and women, and enable displaced persons to return to their villages and farms, thus revitalizing the local economy and ensuring food security for affected communities. Regionally and internationally, clearing coastal areas such as Hodeidah and Hajjah enhances the stability of maritime navigation in the Red Sea and reduces threats to global trade. The continuation of these efforts is a cornerstone of the pursuit of peace and stability in the region.
A toll exceeding half a million mines
With these new figures, the total number of mines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) removed since the project's inception has risen to 558,855. These staggering numbers reflect the magnitude of the disaster that threatened the Yemeni people, as these mines were planted indiscriminately to claim lives and spread terror. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to continuing this noble humanitarian work, with the goal of achieving a mine-free Yemen and enabling the brotherly Yemeni people to live in a safe and stable environment that guarantees them a dignified life.
