The Saudi project to clear Yemeni lands of mines, "MASAM," announced on Sunday, June 2nd, 2024, that it had removed 5,726 mines, unexploded ordnance, and explosive devices during May.

According to a statement released by the project, its field teams successfully removed 1,326 unexploded ordnance and 68 anti-tank mines last week, bringing the total number of items removed last month to 5,527 unexploded ordnance and 145 anti-tank mines.

The statement also highlighted that the project cleared 244,946 square meters of Yemeni land last week, bringing the total area cleared in May to 904,813 square meters.

With this latest effort, "MASAM" claims that its engineering teams have cleared a total of 56,881,560 square meters of Yemeni land that was previously contaminated with mines, ordnance, and explosive devices.

Launched in 2018, "MASAM" is a humanitarian initiative by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in Yemen. It currently comprises 32 demining teams operating in areas controlled by the internationally recognized government.

Last June, Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi awarded "MASAM" and the National Mine Action Program with the Medal of Courage, recognizing their efforts in clearing Yemeni land of mines and unexploded ordnance planted by the Houthi group.

United Nations reports indicate that the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization, has planted approximately two million mines across the areas it controls, resulting in the deaths and injuries of over 20,000 civilians, mostly women and children.

Human rights reports accuse the Houthis, listed as a terrorist organization by several countries, of turning Yemen into "the largest minefield ever," after planting over two million mines.

Human rights organizations repeatedly call on the Houthi group to provide maps of the landmines they have planted to organizations working in mine clearance.