A Masam demining team has succesfully cleared and secured homes and farms in the Al-Aqd village in Al-Khokha district, in Hodeidah.
Engineer Sami Saeed, stated that Team 26 were dispatched immediately after receiving a report from a civilian about the killing of 12 sheep in a mine explosion in the village of Al-Aqd.
“We were informed by Masam Operations to head to Al-Aqd village and secure the site of the explosion to avoid other similar incidents,” Saeed told Masam.
The Team Leader pointed out that normal life returned to the villages and farms surrounding the village of Al-Aqd after it was cleared of landmines and other explosive threats.
Yahya Ali Salem, a villager from Al-Aqd, told Masam that he and many of the villagers were forced to flee the area because of the presence of landmines, but when they returned from displacement, the mine exploded on the outskirts of the village, killing a dozen of his sheep.
“The team came to the rescue of the village and its residents. The team successfully secured the village, its houses and farms,” Salem said.
“The villagers began once again to resume their works and re-cultivated farms. The residents eagerly wait for securing other farms to bear fruits again.”
Saeed, meanwhile, stressed that the team also secured the villages adjacent to Al-Aqd village including
the villages of Fartoot, Al-Alil, and Hanjaleh, adding he is hoping that all villages and areas in
the Al-Khokha district will soon be secured.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen, the Houthis have randomly and heavily laid mines in areas of engagement including Hodeidah, Marib, Abyan, Lahj, Dhale’, Al-Jawf, Al bayda, Sanaa and Shabwah.
