
Saudi project clears 1,504 mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia's Project Masam removed 1,504 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included 1,459 unexploded ordnance, 40 anti-tank mines, four anti-personnel mines and one improvised explosive device, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative's managing director, said that 495,855 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The project trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid.
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