Dr. Awad Al-Masa’bi, deputy dean of the College of Education in Bayhan, told Project Masam how the districts of Bayhan, Usaylan and Al-Ain have suffered from the intensive and indiscriminate planting of mines.
Al-Masa’bi indicated that civilians in these districts have been extensively impacted by explosive threats – describing how some had lost their entire family, others their limbs.
The number of victims has reached “hundreds”, the deputy dean claimed.
Awad Al-Masa’bi explained that civilians experienced “distressful setbacks” because of the presence of mines because they were forcibly displaced from their homes and farms, and had lost their livestock.
Al-Masa’bi also said that Masam’s teams had cleared many areas in these districts, and had discovered large quantities of explosive items.
Work is still in progress, the deputy dean said, as several other areas still need to be cleared.
Al-Masa’bi thanked the National Mine Action Program for their efforts to warn civilians against explosives threats, indicating that awareness of the dangers of mines is needed and must be intensified in schools, markets, mosques, etc., because he claimed many civilians are still not aware of their presence.
Al-Masa’bi also said that most of the mine victims are civilians, especially the displaced, who are not aware that areas in which they seek refuge might be contaminated – making them more vulnerable to landmine accidents.
Al-Masa’bi praised Masam teams for their sacrifices, pointing out that some Masam team members lost their lives, and others their limbs during landmine clearance operations.
