Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam: Clearing Mines in Yemen
In a recent report, it was revealed that Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam successfully cleared 658 mines in Yemen between March 9 and 15. These mines, planted by the Houthi militia, posed a significant threat to civilians in the region.
KSrelief Leads the Way
Under the supervision of the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, special teams working on Project Masam were able to destroy 573 unexploded ordnance items and 85 anti-tank mines. The indiscriminate planting of these explosives by the Houthis across Yemen endangered the lives of children, women, and the elderly.
A Critical Mission
Project Masam, initiated at the request of King Salman, plays a vital role in clearing routes for humanitarian aid to reach Yemeni citizens. The demining operations took place in various regions including Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, and more.
Impressive Progress
Since its inception in 2018, Project Masam has cleared a total of 435,234 mines. This includes a variety of explosives such as unexploded ordnance, anti-tank mines, improvised explosive devices, and anti-personnel mines.
Support and Training
The initiative not only focuses on clearing mines but also on training local demining engineers and providing them with modern equipment. Additionally, support is offered to Yemenis injured by these devices.
Humanitarian Impact
With millions of people forced to flee their homes due to the conflict in Yemen, the presence of landmines has exacerbated the situation. Project Masam plays a crucial role in clearing villages, roads, and schools to ensure the safe movement of civilians and aid delivery.
Continued Efforts
The contract for Project Masam has been extended until June 2023, with a budget of $33.29 million. This underscores the ongoing commitment of Saudi Arabia to demining efforts in Yemen.