Hajjah Governor Major General Abdulkarim Al-Sunaini, accompanied by Deputy Governor Sheikh Nasser Da’qeen, visited Project Masam teams operating in Midi District, in northwestern Hajjah governorate, where they continue field operations to survey and clear areas contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).
Yemen remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world after nearly a decade of conflict. Large swathes of land in Hajjah Governorate, particularly in frontline districts such as Midi, were extensively contaminated with anti-personnel mines, anti-vehicle mines, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted indiscriminately during the fighting.
During the visit, Governor Al-Sunaini received detailed briefings from team leaders on the progress of survey and clearance operations, the technical procedures used to safely detect, dismantle, and dispose of mines, and the coordination mechanisms in place to ensure strict adherence to international safety standards. He was also updated on the challenges posed by complex contamination patterns and shifting sand dunes that often conceal explosive devices.
The Governor praised the humanitarian role of the engineering teams in Midi, noting that they have removed thousands of mines and explosive devices planted by the Houthi militia prior to their retreat from the district. He stressed that the deployment of Project Masam demining teams has restored hope and reassurance to local communities, enabling displaced families to return safely to their homes and resume farming activities on lands that had remained inaccessible for years due to the threat of hidden explosives.
For his part, Deputy Governor Sheikh Nasser Da’qeen stated that the Houthi group had crossed all red lines by planting thousands of mines and IEDs in residential neighbourhoods, government facilities, and agricultural fields across the districts of Midi, Hayran, and Haradh.
The Deputy Governor emphasised that the widespread contamination not only endangered civilians but also disrupted livelihoods and impeded economic recovery. He commended the courage and professionalism of Project Masam teams, whose work is steadily restoring normal life and protecting civilians in affected areas.
Governor Al-Sunaini also expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its continued support of the Project Masam humanitarian initiative. He affirmed that the project is playing a vital role in saving lives, facilitating the safe return of displaced populations, and contributing significantly to enhanced security and stability across Yemeni governorates.
