Barran Press
The United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) reported on Monday, June 24, 2024, that it had recorded 84 landmine-related incidents in Hodeidah governorate between June 2023 and May 2024.
The UN mission's monthly update on demining activities (May 2024), seen by Barran Press, revealed that these incidents resulted in 120 casualties, including 55 fatalities and 65 injuries. Among the victims were 5 women killed and 3 injured, and 19 children killed and 25 injured.
According to the mission, "4 out of every 10 victims were women and children."
In May, UNMHA reported 7 incidents related to explosive ordnance in various districts of Hodeidah governorate. These incidents resulted in 9 civilian casualties, including 4 children, 3 of whom were injured and 1 killed.
The mission emphasized that this "highlights the devastating impact of these incidents on the most vulnerable members of society."
The affected districts, according to UNMHA, included Al-Hali, Al-Hawak, Ad-Durayhimi, Beit Al-Faqih, At-Tahita, and Al-Jurahi.
The UN mission did not provide further details about these incidents, including the perpetrators or those responsible for the casualties.
UNMHA also reported that its team conducted 25 demining activities in May, including coordination and advocacy for support for demining efforts in Hodeidah and across Yemen.
The mission considered Yemen to be "one of the most heavily mined countries in the world."
UNMHA was established based on the Stockholm Agreement, signed under UN auspices on December 13, 2018, in Sweden, between the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the UN.
The mission was formed by a UN Security Council resolution to support the immediate implementation of a ceasefire in Hodeidah governorate and to support the joint redeployment of forces in Hodeidah and its three ports (Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa) in accordance with the Hodeidah Agreement.
The UN mission has faced accusations from Yemenis of failing to fulfill its mandated tasks, with some alleging collusion with the Houthis, particularly regarding the landmine issue, in order to protect the personal interests of its leaders and members.