On the occasion of the International Day of Criminal Justice (17 July), Project Masam has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians from explosive hazards and calls for stronger accountability for violations of international humanitarian law in Yemen.
This day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC). It is an opportunity to highlight the responsibility of states and institutions to support justice efforts and ensure that serious crimes do not go unpunished.
Since its launch in mid-2018, Project Masam has cleared over 506,437 explosive devices in Yemen. These include 6,823 anti-personnel mines, 146,908 anti-tank mines, 8,245 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and 344,461 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Clearance operations have covered more than 68.5 million square metres of land across the country.
Many of these devices were found in civilian areas, including roads, homes, schools, and agricultural land. These locations indicate a pattern of deployment that violates the rules of armed conflict and places civilians at long-term risk.
Despite the scale of contamination and the humanitarian consequences, there has been limited international response to the use of landmines and IEDs in Yemen, particularly in areas (previously) held by Houthi forces. These groups have consistently failed to provide mapping of mined areas or transparency about the scope of their activities. This lack of cooperation continues to endanger communities and obstructs clearance efforts.
“The clearance of over half a million explosive devices is not just a humanitarian milestone, it is a record of systematic wrongdoing. Every mine and IED we remove represents a violation of international law and a stolen piece of someone’s life. Justice must include recognition of these crimes and accountability for those who commit them.” — Ousama Algosaibi, Managing Director, Project Masam
The International Day of Criminal Justice highlights the importance of ensuring accountability for grave crimes. In the context of Yemen, this means not only documenting the use of prohibited weapons but also providing long-term support to victims. Survivors of landmine incidents often require medical care, prosthetics, psychosocial support, and assistance to rebuild their lives.
Project Masam continues to carry out demining operations in Yemen as part of its humanitarian mission. However, clearance alone cannot address the broader issue of justice. There must be legal and political consequences for the use of banned weapons and violations of international law.
On this occasion, Project Masam calls on the international community to:
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Condemn the use of landmines, IEDs, and other improvised weapons against civilians in Yemen
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Demand transparency and mapping from parties to the conflict
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Ensure that survivors receive appropriate support and recognition
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Promote accountability for the use of prohibited weapons through international mechanisms
Until accountability is achieved, affected communities in Yemen will continue to live with the consequences of these actions. The international justice system must not overlook them.
