Barran Press
Government forces in Yemen's western Hodeidah province have reported that recent heavy rains have washed away explosive devices, landmines, and booby traps planted by Houthi rebels in the Hies district.
According to the engineering department of the joint forces in the western coast, as reported by the Ministry of Defense's website "September Net," the Houthis, designated as a terrorist group by several countries, had planted the mines in the eastern areas of Hies. The floods carried them into the Wadi Zami valley within the same district.
The department stated that the mines, disguised in various forms, had settled on citizens' lands and farms. The engineering unit of the 1st Tahama Brigade successfully recovered the devices.
The incident was seen as further evidence of the Houthis' deliberate targeting of civilians and their "sophistication in creating death in its various forms."
The Joint Forces' engineering department warned residents living near flood channels to avoid approaching them until they are cleared and deemed safe from mines.
On Friday, August 2, floods caused significant damage in the provinces of Taiz and Hodeidah according to local sources told "Barran Press". Reports indicated that the floods in Hodeidah destroyed main roads and power lines in the Suwaydiyah and Al-Muqawir districts. In Taiz, floods swept away dozens of vehicles in Shamir, causing substantial property damage and reportedly leaving five people missing.
According to UN reports, the Houthis have planted over two million landmines across areas under their control, resulting in the deaths and injuries of over 20,000 civilians, mostly women and children. rights reports accuse the Houthis of transforming Yemen into the world's largest minefield, urging them to provide maps of the planted mines to organizations working on demining efforts.