Civilians in the Harib district of the Marib Governorate have been indiscriminately affected by Houthi landmines, a local chief has claimed.
Sheikh Al-Tuhaifi, a member of the local council in Harib, said that landmines have caused a great deal of damage caused to civilians, their property and livestock.
Al-Tuhaifi told Project Masam that landmines have killed dozens of camels and sheep in both deserted and non-deserted areas because they have been randomly planted across the district.
The chief said there is no justification for planting landmines, adding that landmine warfare against civilians is a “major crime” and is banned under international law.
The local chief thanked Masam’s engineering teams for the risks they are taking in order to rid Yemen of landmines in different regions of the country.
He also added that the teams are working continuously to clear the land.
Al-Tuhaifi said: “Most mine victims in the Harib district are civilians, because mines were planted next to homes and on public roads, and they have claimed the lives of innocent people who do not have any involvement in this war.
“The Houthi militias have developed mines and changed their shapes and sizes. This confirms that they received training from Iranian experts, and developed their skills in laying and camouflaging IEDs and mines with the aim of targeting civilians and disrupting their life.”
Al-Tuhaifi claimed that the Houthi militias deliberately targeted educational institutions in the district with mines and have booby-trapped the roads leading to it.
