Project Masam for demining clears Yemen of 1231 mines
As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pioneering humanitarian efforts, the Masam demining project to achieve tangible results on the ground. The project, affiliated with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, has successfully cleared vast areas of Yemeni land. During the week of March 28 to April 3, engineering teams removed 1,231 landmines and unexploded ordnance, reflecting a deep commitment to protecting the lives of innocent civilians and providing a safe environment that allows them to return to their normal lives, free from the threat of death lurking underground.
Weekly progress details in various governorates
The mines cleared this week included 49 anti-tank mines, 9 anti-personnel mines, and 1,173 pieces of unexploded ordnance. Clearance operations covered several key Yemeni governorates. In Aden Governorate, unexploded ordnance was removed in the districts of Khormaksar and Aden. In Al Dhale' Governorate, specifically in the district of Qa'tabah, an anti-personnel mine was neutralized. In Al Hudaydah Governorate, the team in the district of Hays removed an anti-tank mine and unexploded ordnance.
The operations extended to Hadramawt Governorate, where 12 anti-tank mines and 294 pieces of unexploded ordnance were removed in Al-Mukalla District. In Hajjah Governorate, specifically in Midi District, the area was cleared of two anti-personnel mines, 34 anti-tank mines, and 40 pieces of unexploded ordnance. Extensive demining operations were also carried out in the governorates of Lahj (Al-Mudharabah District), Ma'rib (Al-Wadi and Harib Districts), Shabwah (Ayn and Usaylan Districts), and Taiz (Al-Mukha, Dhubab, and Saluh Districts), involving the removal of hundreds of various types of ordnance and mines, which contributed to reopening roads and securing villages.
The historical roots of the crisis and the establishment of the Masam demining project
The landmine crisis in Yemen has its roots in the armed conflict, with militias resorting to the indiscriminate and intensive planting of mines in residential areas, schools, roads, and farms. These illegal practices have transformed vast areas of Yemen into death traps, threatening the lives of current and future generations. In response to this unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched the MASAM demining project in mid-2018. This strategic project aims to address the immediate threat posed by landmines, train Yemeni personnel in demining operations, and equip local teams capable of handling these explosives according to the highest international standards.
The humanitarian and regional impact of clearing Yemeni lands
The importance of demining operations extends far beyond simply saving lives; it encompasses profound economic and social dimensions. Locally, clearing land allows farmers to return to their fields, enhancing food security for Yemeni families struggling with dire living conditions. It also enables displaced people to safely return to their homes and ensures children can attend school without fear of hidden explosives.
Regionally and internationally, these efforts contribute to the stability of the region, particularly in the coastal provinces overlooking the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where securing these areas is a vital step to ensuring the safety of international navigation and global trade. Eliminating these threats reflects the Kingdom's pivotal role in promoting regional peace and security.
The outcome of sustained humanitarian efforts
Thanks to these tireless efforts and the immense sacrifices of the engineering teams, the total number of mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and unexploded ordnance (UXO) removed since the project's inception has reached 552,420. These explosives were planted indiscriminately to claim the lives of innocent children, women, and the elderly, and to sow terror in the hearts of civilians. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to clearing every inch of Yemeni territory, enabling our Yemeni brothers and sisters to live in a safe, dignified, and stable environment.
