Yemen is facing a grave crisis caused by mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Houthi militias, Project Masam’s Managing Director has told a leading Egyptian newspaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ousama Algosaibi told Al-Dustour newspaper that Houthi militias have indiscriminately planted more than one million landmines of different shapes and sizes – and in the complete absence of maps in a number of Yemeni regions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those mines have claimed thousands of Yemeni lives, Masam’s Algosaibi\u00a0said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Tens of thousands have been seriously injured and amputated,” he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On April 4, 2022, the United Nations Development Programme office in Yemen revealed that at least 1,800 civilians have been killed or injured by landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and IEDs in a number of Yemeni governorates over the past four years. This included 689 women and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the article<\/a>, Algosaibi slammed the silence of the international community despite the “proven and largely documented” knowledge that the Houthis are manufacturing landmines and IEDs that target civilians and deminers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obstacles and challenges in Yemen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n “Since the launch of work in 2018, the Yemeni territory has witnessed new developments in terms of Houthi landmines’ manufacturing, and technical and technological aspects<\/a>, but Masam spares no effort in keeping pace with these changes and overcoming all obstacles.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Algosaibi added: “We have faced many obstacles and challenges inside Yemen to clear the lands of mines and UXO, like any other competent authority in the same field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n