Project Masam has announced it has removed 4,899 landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and improvised explosive device (IEDs) during the month of June 2023 as part of its humanitarian landmine clearance operations.
In June, Project Masam removed 4,307 UXO and 478 anti-tank mines, effectively clearing 752,681sqm of liberated Yemeni territory during the same period.
In its monthly report, Project Masam confirmed the total number of explosives that have been removed since the launch of the project at the end of June 2018 now stands at 405,818 – including landmines, UXO, and IEDs – including rock mines – planted by the Houthi militia indiscriminately in various Yemeni governorates – and the total area cleared since launch reached 47,485,089sqm.
Recognised achievements
Discussing how more than 405,000 mines and UXO were removed by Project Masam over five years of continuous efforts to combat mines, the project’s Managing Director Ousama Algosaibi, said: “This is an achievement we all are proud of as a humanitarian project, that has made such unprecedented results, given the challenging demining conditions and the unfamiliar nature of the landmines that have been planted in this brotherly country.”
In recognition of Project Masam’s efforts in Yemen and to allow the project to continue its mission, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) extended the project’s contract for the 6th consecutive year.
Algosaibi expressed his profound thanks and appreciation for the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its keenness to allow Project Masam to continue his humanitarian mine action efforts in Yemen.
He also said that “the project is implemented by Saudi cadres and international experts through Yemeni teams trained to remove mines of all types and sizes, which were randomly planted by the militias across large swathes of Yemeni territory.
“For its part, Project Masam aims to clear Yemeni territory from the dangers of mines, by focusing on high-impact areas where life has been disrupted by the spread of these deadly devices. In addition, the project carries out training and capacity-building activities for the Yemenis in the field of mine clearance, to create a future shield that will protect Yemen from the dangers of landmines.”
The project continues its work to ensure the removal of the largest number of explosives in a record time – working around the clock to clear the largest areas of Yemeni territory from this deadly devices -, restore security and rid civilians of the danger and tragedies caused by the landmines that have paralysed their lives.
Global engagement
At its 156th session, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh on 11 June, the Ministerial Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf praised Project Masam for its efforts, and results.
The same month, Project Masam received José dos Santos, Security Manager at the United Nations Office in Marib, at the project’s headquarters in Marib,
During the visit, Dos Santos requested the assistance of Project Masam in providing awareness to his staff about the threats they may face with regard to explosive remnants of war (ERW).
Dos Santos’ mission is to ensure the safety of displaced Yemenis in resettlement areas, secure spaces for them free of explosives and remnants of war, and ensure that these areas are not directly affected by the ongoing fighting.
Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces in Yemen, issued resolution No. (15) for the year 2023, effectively awarding Project Masam the Medal of Bravery.
Visits and Testimonials
During the month of June, the deputy governor of Marib Governorate, Abdullah Ahmed Al-Bakri, visited Project Masam’s headquarters to congratulate the project’s members on the occasion of the holy celebration of Eid Al-Adha.
During the visit, Al-Bakri praised Project Masam’s role in saving the lives of millions of Yemenis from the danger of mines densely and indiscriminately planted by the Houthi militia in most Yemeni territories.
The Undersecretary of the Yemeni Ministry of Information, Ahmed Rabee, along with a number of directors general of media offices in several liberated Yemeni governorates and a group of journalists and human rights activists, meanwhile, visited the headquarters in Marib, after the announcement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to extend the project’s work for a sixth consecutive year.
Rabee said that his visit showcased an appreciation of the role played by Project Masam in saving the lives of Yemenis, adding that the continuation of the project’s work was imperative to protect civilians against the danger of landmines that sadly continue to threaten their lives.
