Yemeni Minister of Culture Muammar Al-Eryani praised the efforts of the Masam Landmine Clearance Project – Yemen in clearing and securing the ancient city of Timna, located in the Usaylan District of Shabwah Governorate. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Qataban, one of the great ancient kingdoms of South Arabia, Timna is an important archaeological site that reflects Yemen’s historical and cultural heritage.
During the conflict, Houthi militias turned the area into a minefield, endangering civilians and threatening a site of immense historical value.
Al-Eryani said that Project Masam’s clearance of Timna represents a vital humanitarian and cultural achievement, protecting both lives and Yemen’s heritage from landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted indiscriminately by the Houthis.
He noted that this accomplishment adds to the series of successes achieved by Project Masam across multiple governorates, where hundreds of thousands of mines have been removed, restoring safety and enabling families to return to their homes.
The Minister explained that the clearance of heritage sites such as Timna also contributes to preserving Yemen’s archaeological record and opens the door for future restoration, research, and tourism once stability returns.
Al-Eryani expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to the Masam teams for their continued humanitarian work, affirming that the project reflects the strong ties between the two countries and the Kingdom’s leading role in promoting stability and countering the causes of destruction.
