JEDDAH: The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (Masam) in Yemen dismantled two anti-personnel mines, 238 anti-tank mines, three explosive devices and 1,036 unexploded ordnance — totaling 1,279 mines — during the second week of June.
The project is implemented by Saudi cadres and international experts to remove mines randomly planted by Houthi militias in Yemeni regions, especially Marib, Aden, Sanaa and Taiz.
A total of 169,434 mines have been extracted since the beginning of the project. More than 1.1 million mines have been planted by Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen during the conflict, claiming hundreds of civilian lives.
Masam aims to dismantle mines in Yemen to protect civilians and ensure that urgent humanitarian supplies are delivered safely. Houthis are developing anti-vehicle mines and turning them into antipersonnel explosives to intimidate and terrorize civilians.
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The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (Masam) extracted 1,279 mines in Yemen during the second week of June.
The vast number of land mines continues to pose a threat to Yemeni people.
Recently, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) extended a contract for Masam project for one year at a cost of $30 million.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSRelief, said that the renewal of the contract is part of the center’s humanitarian responsibility to the Yemeni people.
The project is one of several initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom, on the directive of King Salman, to help ease the suffering of Yemeni people, he added.
