Project "Masam" Achieves Major Milestone in Yemen Mine Clearance
In the second week of May 2025, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s “Masam” initiative made significant strides in the effort to clear Yemen of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). During this period, the team successfully removed a total of 1,273 mines and UXOs from various regions across the country. This haul included 34 anti-tank mines and 1,239 items of unexploded ordnance.
The operations carried out by the Masam team showcased their unwavering commitment to restoring safety in Yemen. Notably, in the province of Aden, an impressive 1,187 items of unexploded ordnance were extracted. In the neighboring Al-Dhale’e governorate, one UXO was safely removed in the Qatbah district. Furthermore, the team dismantled three unexploded items in the Hays district of Al-Hudaydah, as well as two unexploded ordnance pieces in the Al-Wahdah district of Lahij.
In the Ma’rib province, the team focused on eliminating the threat posed by anti-tank mines, successfully removing 32 of these hazardous devices. The team also operated in Taiz province, where they removed one unexploded item in the Mawza district, along with two anti-tank mines and six UXOs in the Dhubab district. Additionally, 39 unexploded ordnance items were eliminated in the Al-Mu’afara district.
As a result of these ongoing efforts, the total number of explosives removed during May alone has now reached 3,112. Since the inception of the Masam project, the cumulative figure has surged to an impressive 493,256 mines cleared from the landscape. This ongoing endeavor is critical, as many of these explosives were planted indiscriminately, posing deadly risks to innocent lives, including children, women, and the elderly, while instilling fear within the civilian population.
The impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance on communities in Yemen cannot be overstated. These remnants of conflict not only threaten lives but also hinder the ability of displaced individuals and families to return home safely. By addressing this issue, the Masam project is actively working to mitigate a significant humanitarian crisis, allowing affected populations to reclaim their land and restore a sense of normalcy to their lives.
The need for continued support and funding for such initiatives is crucial. The humanitarian landscape in Yemen remains grim, exacerbated by protracted conflict and economic instability. The ongoing efforts by the Masam team symbolize hope and resilience amidst adversity, illustrating the importance of international collaboration in addressing global humanitarian challenges.
As the Masam project progresses, the hope remains that Yemen will eventually be free from the threat of landmines, allowing its people to rebuild their lives and communities in peace. Each mine removed represents a step toward a safer and more stable future for Yemen, reiterating the imperative for ongoing support for demining projects and broader humanitarian efforts in the region.
In summary, the Masam project’s latest achievements highlight the critical need for persistent action in landmine clearance, with the ultimate aim of safeguarding lives and fostering a secure environment for future generations in Yemen.
