The deputy governor of Yemen’s Marib governorate, Abdullah Ahmed al-Bakry, has visited Project Masam’s headquarters to congratulate its staff on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Marib governorate is among Yemen’s most landmine-contaminated regions.
During the visit, al-Bakry praised the role of Project Masam in saving the lives of millions of Yemenis from the danger of landmines, which have been densely and indiscriminately planted by the Houthi militia across large swathes of Yemen.
Al-Bakry said the visit comes under the directives of Marib Province Governor Major General Sultan bin Ali al-Arada, a member of the Presidential Leadership Council.
The Houthi militia has planted landmines in residential areas, on public roads, and in valleys in most provinces, al-Bakry noted, adding that Project Masam represents Yemenis’ hope to get rid of mines and live safely again.
The deputy governor called for the continuation of Project Masam’s humanitarian landmine clearance efforts, until every Yemeni territory is cleared of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
At the end of the visit, al-Bakry, along with the Director of the Office of the Governor of Marib, Abd-Rabbu Halis, stopped by a photo exhibition which evidenced the different types of landmines found in Yemen, as well as the impact these have had on victims across the country.
Al-Bakry was received by the Director of Masam Operations Room at the Marib Office, Retief Horn, and Project Masam’s Director of Public Relations Muhammad Al-Wals Buhaibeh.
An estimated four to five million Yemenis have been displaced in Yemen. Even after the frontlines have moved, the displaced cannot return home, as their land, grazing fields, roads, houses and schools have been contaminated by landmines and other explosive devices.
