The battles in Al-Dhale governorate in southern Yemen may have ended, but the suffering of civilians continues.
In the Qa’tabah district, one of the most important districts of Al-Dhale governorate where civilians face the threat of landmines, Project Masam’s demining teams have been clearing explosive threats.
After successful clearance, Project Masam’s teams opened the roads, and removed mines from homes before securing them so that their occupants could return. The deminers then secured farms so that civilians could resume their agricultural work after years of deprivation.
Project Masam Team 18 was able to secure 35 high-impact minefields in Al-Ribi, Shakhb, Al-Batin, Al-Qaflah, Wadi Al-Hadrami, Debian, and Bab Gluq, which had been heavily planted with landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In addition, the team cleared more than 1,500 banned anti-personnel mines, in addition to 400 IEDs, and secured 210,000 square metres of land, which consisted of residential houses, farms, sheep pastures, and secondary and main roads.
The leader of Team 18 indicated that most of the mines dealt with were anti-personnel mines, which were randomly planted near houses and farms. This is one of the difficulties that the team faced, he explained.
Bringing life back
Abd al-Raqeeb Ahmed, a resident of the al-Ribi region, thanked Project Masam for the role it played in the region, saying, “Project Masam’s teams intervened in our region and worked to remove mines from the front of houses and farms, and contributed to saving human and animal lives”.
Ahmed Saleh, a native of the Batinah region, meanwhile, said that his farm was littered with landmines, and several explosions occurred in it, killing a woman and one of her sheep.
“By the grace of God, and then thanks to Project Masam’s team, we felt safe in Al Batinah village. I was able to return to work on my farm, and I was able to dig a water tank and cultivate the land without fear of mines, and we can only thank Project Masam’s team and bless its efforts, and we hope they continue these efforts until all mines are cleared from the area.”
The leader of Team 18 Masam highligted the team’s determination to restore life to the Qa’tabah district, adding the team would remain in the area until it is cleared and fully secured. to allow residents to return to their homes and farms safely.
Al Dhale has experienced an increase in Houthi attacks against southern forces in recent months.
