RIYADH: Members of Project Masam, a Saudi-backed humanitarian demining initiative, removed 2,676 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen over the past week, according to an official report released on Sunday.
The devices cleared included 2,484 unexploded ordnances, 149 anti-tank mines, 17 anti-personnel mines and 26 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), according to Arab News.
The report stated that the explosives had been planted indiscriminately, posing a serious threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
Demining operations were carried out across 11 provinces: Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
Teams worked to identify, dismantle and safely dispose of explosive remnants of war scattered across populated and strategic areas.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, managing director of Project Masam, said the initiative has cleared a total of 544,187 mines and explosive devices since its launch in 2018.
He emphasized that the project’s mission is to enhance civilian safety and restore normalcy in war-affected communities.
Project Masam teams are specifically tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to ensure the safe movement of residents and enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The initiative also focuses on building local capacity by training Yemeni demining engineers and equipping them with modern tools and protective gear.
In addition to clearance operations, the project provides medical and financial support to Yemenis injured by landmines and other explosive devices, aiming to mitigate the long-term humanitarian impact of the conflict.
