Sheikh Hassan Musbeh, the leader of Bani Fayed village in the Midi district of Hajjah Governorate, has affirmed that the arrival of Project Masam in the area brings a long-awaited glimmer of hope for residents who have lived for years under the heavy burden of landmines planted by Houthis along roads, farms, grazing lands, and even inside populated villages.
Landmines were widely planted by Houthi forces during the conflict – and continue to be today – to block advancing troops and terrorise civilians, leaving behind vast contamination in liberated areas such as Hajjah. Project Masam, launched in 2018, has recently expanded operations into Hajjah – one of Yemen’s most heavily mined regions – to clear these hidden threats and restore safety for local communities.
In a statement to Project Masam’s media office, Sheikh Musbeh described the devastating human toll caused by these mines:
“Many people have fallen victim to these explosions: some losing their lives, others suffering permanent disabilities such as amputated limbs. These tragedies have robbed families of their breadwinners and shattered their futures.”
Bani Fayed village sits in the strategically important Midi district of Hajjah Governorate, a coastal area that endured fierce clashes during the war and was left saturated with mines and explosive remnants. Today, Project Masam’s clearance operations are vital to lifting this hidden threat, allowing families to return safely, farmland to be cultivated again, and communities to rebuild with hope.
Sheikh Musbeh added that the destruction extended beyond human lives: “Livestock, which families rely on for their survival, have been killed. Vehicles, agricultural equipment, and motorcycles have been destroyed. Mines became a nightmare, weighing heavily on people’s hearts.”
Sheikh Musbeh recounted how Project Masam’s arrival in the area has transformed the atmosphere in the community.
“Today, with the start of Project Masam’s work, people feel hopeful again. They believe this humanitarian initiative will remove the hidden death that has threatened their lives and allow them to return to normal life as it once was.”
Since its launch in 2018, Project Masam has worked to clear landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other remnants of war across liberated Yemeni governorates. Its efforts have saved thousands of civilian lives and helped restore safety and stability to affected areas.
