Yemen's Masam Project Clears Over 80,000 Sq Ft of Land in Midi, Disarms 263 Explosives
The Masam project for demining in Yemen has successfully cleared over 80,000 square meters of land contaminated with war remnants in the Midi district of Hajjah governorate, disarming a total of 263 explosive devices. The operations are focused on securing agricultural and pastoral areas and protecting civilians from the dangers of explosions.
Eng. Abdulrahman Dhiab, commander of Team 42 within the project, stated that during October, the teams neutralized 259 explosive objects, including 74 anti-tank mines, 20 unexploded ordnance (UXO), and 17 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), while clearing 7,500 square meters of land. Dhiab further explained that the team is intensifying survey and clearance operations in a pastoral area near Al-Makhazin village, which is frequented by residents for their daily activities, despite the threat posed by the scattered mines to their lives and livelihoods.
Eng. Romans Al-Shumairi, commander of Team 42 operating west of Al-Makhazin village, reported that the team's total achievements from June to the end of October included clearing 73,274 square meters of land and disarming 118 anti-tank mines, 27 IEDs, and UXO. Al-Shumairi added that the clearance operations aim to remove the dangers surrounding civilians, prevent their return to homes and farms, and enable them to resume their agricultural and pastoral activities and travel safely.
In a separate incident within the project's operations in the district, the project announced earlier on the same day the disarmament of four anti-vehicle mines in the Jada'a area, following a report from farmer Hassan Adabi, who discovered them near agricultural lands used by farmers and shepherds west of the village. Eng. Mujahid Al-Shaer indicated that the teams acted immediately upon receiving the report, evacuating a shepherd and his livestock from the danger zone before inspecting and neutralizing the mines. He noted that the location's proximity to a populated village and displaced families posed a direct threat to civilian lives.
Al-Shaer cautioned residents against entering areas suspected of being contaminated with mines or engaging in agricultural and pastoral activities there before the completion of survey and clearance operations. He urged the public to report any suspicious objects and to avoid approaching or attempting to handle them. The Masam operations room in Midi has received repeated reports in recent months regarding minefields near residential and agricultural areas, the latest being a report last week concerning the discovery of a minefield during work in farms north of the Al-Deir area in the Hirran district.
The project stated that its teams operating in the Midi district have, since commencing their operations in the region, disarmed over 13,000 mines, UXO, and IEDs, in addition to clearing millions of square meters of land, as part of efforts to remove war remnants and mitigate their threats to the population.