Saudi Project Continues Mine Clearance Mission in Yemen with 1,181 Devices Removed
In a world often dominated by headlines of conflict, stories of meticulous, courageous reconstruction shine a light on the path forward. Last week, in the dusty plains and rugged terrains of Yemen, such a story unfolded. Teams from Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam, through relentless and dangerous work, safely removed 1,181 explosive devices from lands yearning for normalcy.
These weren’t weapons on a battlefield; they were hidden killers lying in wait. The haul included 1,114 unexploded ordnances—legacies of past violence—along with 61 anti-tank mines, four anti-personnel mines, and two improvised explosive devices. Each one was placed indiscriminately, a perpetual threat to any civilian who might pass by: a child playing, a woman gathering supplies, an elderly person returning home.
The operations stretched across multiple regions—Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, and Saada. This geographic spread underscores the vast scale of the contamination and the project’s determined reach. Their mission is straightforward yet profound: to clear villages, roads, and schools. This work is the essential first step. It allows for the safe movement of families and ensures that critical humanitarian aid can be delivered without fear of catastrophic interruption.
Since its inception in 2018, Project Masam has achieved a staggering milestone. “We have cleared a total of 531,868 mines,” stated Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s managing director. This number represents hundreds of thousands of potential tragedies averted. It signifies fields that can be farmed again, roads that connect communities, and schoolyards that can echo with the sounds of play, not explosions.
But the project’s vision extends beyond the immediate clearance. It is building a sustainable future for Yemen by training local demining engineers and arming them with modern equipment. Furthermore, it extends a hand of compassion by providing support to Yemenis who have already suffered injuries from these horrific devices. This holistic approach—clearance, capacity-building, and care—addresses both the symptom and the wound of conflict.
Every device removed is a silent testament to the bravery of the teams on the ground and a step toward reclaiming the land for its people. It’s a reminder that after the guns fall silent, the real work of healing begins—one painstaking, careful clearance at a time. The work of Project Masam is more than a demining operation; it is an ongoing mission to restore hope, safety, and the very right to walk on one’s own land without fear.
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