Project Masam’s demining Team 36 has successfully removed several anti-tank mines and explosive remnants of war during operations to secure the vicinity of the rural hospital in Midi District, Hajjah Governorate. This mission is part of ongoing work to safeguard civilians from widespread contamination caused by landmines planted by Houthi militias.
Hajjah governorate, and particularly Midi District, was a strategic frontline during years of conflict, where Houthi militias heavily mined liberated areas to block the advance of government forces and prevent the safe return of civilians.
Engineer Haroun Al-Siddiq, Leader of Team 36, confirmed that his unit dealt with multiple types of explosives positioned near residential neighbourhoods and vital facilities, posing a severe danger to civilian lives.
“We have removed many mines and shells that posed a direct threat to civilians, particularly in the vicinity of the rural hospital,” Al-Siddiq said. “The team successfully dismantled and neutralised them as part of clearance operations in the area.”
The team reported finding a mix of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines laid around access routes, as well as unexploded ordnance such as artillery shells and white phosphorus bombs scattered in the vicinity of the hospital.
He added that these devices have created a “humanitarian catastrophe” for thousands of residents in Midi District, stressing that his team’s work will continue around the hospital to protect civilians and help eliminate the devastating remnants of war that continue to threaten lives and daily security.
In this context, Brigadier General Ali Siraj, Director General of Midi District in Hajjah Governorate, praised the vital humanitarian role of Project Masam’s demining teams. He underlined that the field teams are continuing their work to clear and secure critical areas heavily contaminated with mines and other explosive devices.
In a statement to Project Masam’s Media Office, Brigadier General Siraj said:
“The residents of Midi continue to suffer from the widespread presence of minefields, which still claim the lives of civilians and their livestock. Many have been forced to abandon their daily activities for years because of these dangers.”
He called for intensified clearance efforts across the district, describing the situation as an “ongoing tragedy.” Brigadier General Siraj also expressed his deep gratitude to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its continuous support of Project Masam, describing it as a “life-saving initiative” that works tirelessly to protect lives and help millions of Yemenis return to normalcy.
Project Masam continues large-scale clearance operations across civilian and agricultural areas, as part of one of the largest and most complex humanitarian initiatives in Yemen.
It is estimated that Houthi militias have planted millions of landmines and explosive devices, creating a constant threat to the lives and safety of civilians for years to come.
