The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's "Masam" project for clearing Yemeni lands of mines continued its tireless efforts to protect civilian lives in Yemen, achieving new field successes last week. From December 27, 2025, to January 2, 2026, the project's engineering teams successfully removed 736 mines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that had been planted in various areas, posing a direct threat to the lives of residents.
Details of field operations in the governorates
The efforts of the MASAM teams were spread across several Yemeni governorates, where clearance operations included the removal of 4 anti-personnel mines, 59 anti-tank mines, 672 unexploded ordnance, and one improvised explosive device. In terms of geographical distribution, the team in Aden Governorate successfully removed 379 pieces of unexploded ordnance, while in Qa'tabah District of Al Dhale' Governorate, one anti-personnel mine was removed.
In Hajjah Governorate, specifically in the Midi District, teams successfully removed 29 anti-tank mines, 69 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and an improvised explosive device. Operations also took place in the Al-Mudharabah District of Lahj Governorate, where one piece of ordnance was removed, and in Marib Governorate, where 27 anti-tank mines and 170 pieces of unexploded ordnance were removed. In Taiz Governorate, operations were conducted in the districts of Al-Mukha, Dhubab, Maqbanah, and Saluh, resulting in the removal of various quantities of mines and ordnance that had been threatening roads and residential areas.
Project Masam: A shield of safety for Yemenis
This ongoing effort comes within the framework of the vital role played by the MASAM project since its inception. The project's primary objective is to clear Yemeni areas of landmines of all types, which were planted indiscriminately in populated areas, schools, and public roads. The importance of this project lies in its being a cornerstone for the return to normalcy, as these mines prevent citizens from carrying out their daily lives, impede the delivery of humanitarian aid, and hinder economic and social development.
Half a million landmines... figures that reflect the scale of the disaster and the achievement
With the latest operations, the total number of mines and unexploded ordnance removed since the start of Project Masam's work in Yemen has risen to 530,687. This staggering figure reflects the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe caused by landmines, and conversely, highlights the immense effort exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. Every mine removed represents a life saved and a step towards restoring security and stability in Yemen.
It is worth noting that through this project, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not only removing mines, but is also working to train Yemeni national cadres in the field of mine removal and provide the necessary modern equipment, which ensures the sustainability of operations and enhances local capabilities to face this long-term challenge, confirming the Kingdom’s firm commitment to stand by the Yemeni people in their ordeal.
