Project Masam’s Managing Director has described the difficult conditions in which the project’s deminers have been working as they continue to remove and clear landmines in Yemen.
These landmines, planted indiscriminately and extensively by the Houthi militia across Yemen, continue to pose a significant threat to the lives of civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.
Speaking to Arab News, the Middle East’s leading English daily, Ousama Algosaibi was asked to comment on the fact that Project Masam had managed to clear 405,818 landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) since the program’s inception in 2018.
In an article, Al-Gosaibi is quoted as saying: “This achievement is the result of five years of relentless effort in the fight against mines. It is a remarkable and promising number that the team takes great pride in.
“The project’s remarkable success was achieved under challenging conditions of disarmament and in a country that is unfamiliar with handling mines.”
Project Masam trains local engineers and provides them with equipment and continuous learning and development. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices. Last month, Project Masam’s contract was extended for another year at a cost of $33.29 million.
In his interview, Algosaibi added: “The Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia, the project’s funder] is consistently loyal to its commitments and determined to advocate for humanity in various parts of the globe. Its commendable endeavours in Yemen, such as the Masam project to remove landmines, are a shining example of its humanitarian efforts.”
Since launch, demining operations have taken place in large swathes of the country, including Marib, Aden, Al Jawf, Shabwah, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, and Saada.
More than 1.2 million landmines have been planted by the Houthis, claiming the lives of hundreds of civilians, according to Arab News.
