The director of a school in western Yemen’s Taiz Governorate that was heavily mined by Houthi militias has finally been cleared, allowing students to pursue their studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Al-Amal School in Al-Safalia in Mawza district served as a Houthi stronghold when the militants controlled the area. Huge parts of the buildings were destroyed, while the surrounding area was completely mined<\/a>, according to Thabet Al-Za’tari, the school’s director. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For two years, Al-Za’tari said, no one could come close to the school, fearing landmines planted in and around the facility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “We agonisingly searched for alternative places to teach children during the crisis,” Al-Za’tari told Project Masam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The director confirmed Masam’s Team 23 removed six landmines planted by the school gate, and worked to clear the building and its surroundings to ensure no landmine was left. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Al-Za’tari thanked Project Masam for bringing life and students back to the school, where education staff have now resumed educational activities without the threat of landmines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his address, Al-Za’tari wished Masam’s teams good luck in their humanitarian landmine clearance exercise as they continue to clear Yemen from explosive hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This comes as Team 23 also announced it successfully secured 18 water wells<\/a> in Al-Safalia – vital water sources in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n