Landmines planted by the Houthi militia in Yemeni villages and towns are among the biggest threats facing Yemenis’ present and future because
they are invisible and camouflaged, and have been randomly planted in large quantities – making Yemen one of the most landmine contaminated countries in the world.
Landmines have caused uncountable deaths and injuries in several Yemeni districts, mostly in Taiz, Al-Hudeidah, and Al-Jawf.
On the ring road in Taiz, a Houthi landmine exploded under Abdullah Saleh Ahmed while he was collecting firewood. His family had no gas in their house due to the Houthi siege of their city.
Abdullah told Project Masam: “When the mine exploded, a Houthi sniper did not attempt to help me, rather he fired at me; I then fell in a coma and woke up several days later with my leg amputated and shrapnel filling my body.”
Abdullah added: “I am a simple laborer working with my hands to feed my children, but the Houthis do not differentiate between civilians and the military, all Yemenis are their enemies.”
Abdullah said his injuries and amputation means how family is now having a hard time as he was the main breadwinner.
Despite his disability and the deterioration of his health and living conditions, Abdullah tried to appear calm and self-composed during the interview, expressing his gratitude for Masam’s teams’ humanitarian landmine clearance efforts.
