RIYADH: An ongoing Saudi program to clear landmines in Yemen saw 1,027 devices laid by the Iran-backed Houthis dismantled in the second week of March.
Overseen by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, special teams destroyed six anti-personnel, 203 anti-tank mines, 817 unexploded ordinances and one explosive device.
The Masam project is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia on the orders of King Salman to help the Yemeni people.
It clear routes for much-needed humanitarian aid aimed at supporting the country’s citizens.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, and Saada.
A total of 391,613 mines have been cleared since the start of the project.
More than 1.2 million mines have been planted by the Houthis, claiming the lives of hundreds of civilians.
The Saudi project trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
In June 2022, the project’s contract was extended for another year at a cost of $33.29 million.
