The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's "Masam" project for clearing Yemeni lands of mines continues to achieve rapid progress on the ground, recording new figures that reflect the scale of efforts exerted to protect civilians and secure liberated areas. In its latest report, the project announced that its engineering teams successfully removed 2,676 mines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices during the third week of February. These mines had been planted indiscriminately by militias in various Yemeni governorates.
Details of field operations and distribution of removed mines
The project's operations room revealed details of the materials that were dealt with and neutralized during this period. The seizures varied to include 17 anti-personnel mines, 149 anti-tank mines, in addition to 2,484 unexploded ordnance and 26 improvised explosive devices, highlighting the extent of the threat that was lurking to the lives of citizens.
Regarding the geographical distribution of operations, the "Masam" teams intensified their activity in several vital governorates, and the results were as follows:
- Aden Governorate: The team managed to remove 246 unexploded ordnance.
- Al Hudaydah Governorate: In Hays District, one anti-tank mine was removed.
- Hadhramaut Governorate: Al-Mukalla district witnessed intensive activity that resulted in the removal of 15 anti-personnel mines, two anti-tank mines, and 1,887 unexploded ordnance.
- Hajjah Governorate: In Midi District, 141 anti-tank mines, 326 unexploded ordnance, and 26 improvised explosive devices were removed.
- Marib Governorate: One anti-tank mine was removed in Ragwan District.
- Shabwa Governorate: One unexploded ordnance was dealt with in Ain District.
- Taiz Governorate: Efforts were distributed across several districts, where two anti-personnel mines, four anti-tank mines, and 20 unexploded ordnance were removed in Mocha, two unexploded ordnance in Dhubab, and the same number in Salah District.
Half a million landmines... a journey of giving to save lives
With this weekly tally, the total number of mines removed in February alone has risen to 6,682, while the total number since the launch of the MASAM project has reached a record high of 544,187 . These figures reflect the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the indiscriminate planting of mines targeting roads, farms, and schools, claiming the lives of innocent children, women, and the elderly, and disrupting life in many areas.
The importance of the project and its humanitarian dimensions
The importance of the "Masam" project extends far beyond its digital aspects, reaching profound humanitarian and developmental dimensions. Every landmine removed means saving a potential life, restoring hope to a Yemeni family, and enabling farmers to return safely to their land, thus contributing to enhanced food security and the local economy. This project is a cornerstone of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's humanitarian efforts, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, to rid Yemen of this deadly contamination, which is among the most densely planted in the world.
The Kingdom continues to harness all capabilities and modern technologies through the “Masam” teams to ensure a mine-free Yemen, affirming its firm commitment to supporting the brotherly Yemeni people and providing a safe environment that allows the return of displaced persons and the restoration of normal life.
