Masam removes more than 2,600 landmines in Yemen and enhances civilian safety
The Masam Project for clearing Yemeni lands of mines, a Saudi humanitarian initiative implemented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, announced a new milestone in its life-saving mission. Its field teams successfully removed 2,676 mines during the third week of February. These mines and unexploded ordnance included 17 anti-personnel mines, 149 anti-tank mines, 2,484 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and 26 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), reflecting the scale of the danger civilians face daily.
The demining operations were spread across several affected Yemeni governorates. In Aden Governorate, 246 pieces of unexploded ordnance were removed. In Hodeidah Governorate, Hays District was secured by removing an anti-tank mine. In Hadramawt, intensive efforts in Mukalla District resulted in the removal of 15 anti-personnel mines, two anti-tank mines, and 1,887 pieces of unexploded ordnance. In Hajjah Governorate, teams cleared Midi District of 141 anti-tank mines, 326 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and 26 improvised explosive devices. Efforts also extended to other governorates such as Marib, Shabwa, and Taiz, where various areas were cleared of mines and other types of ordnance.
The general context of the landmine crisis in Yemen
The landmine problem in Yemen is one of the most serious consequences of the years-long conflict. The indiscriminate and intensive planting of mines by the Houthi militia has transformed vast areas of farmland, roads, and residential areas into death traps, threatening the lives of millions. These mines are not limited to traditional types; they also include improvised explosive devices (IEDs) disguised as rocks or household items, making them more difficult to detect and increasing the number of civilian casualties, especially women and children. In this context, the MASAM project was launched in June 2018 as a direct humanitarian response from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to alleviate this tragedy.
The importance of the project and its humanitarian impact
The importance of the Masam project lies in its direct impact on the lives of Yemenis. Every mine removed is an opportunity to save a life or prevent permanent disability. Locally, the project's efforts contribute to enabling displaced people to safely return to their villages and homes, revitalizing agricultural lands that were abandoned due to fear of mines, and securing roads for the passage of humanitarian aid and the daily movement of citizens. Regionally and internationally, the project highlights the leading humanitarian role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting the stability of Yemen and represents an effective contribution to international efforts to combat the use of indiscriminate weapons, which are prohibited under international law. With this weekly achievement, the total number of mines removed since the project's inception has risen to 544,187, a figure that underscores the scale of the challenge and the ongoing commitment to ridding Yemen of this deadly threat and restoring hope for a safe future.
