Barran Press
The United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) issued a report today indicating a concerning rise in civilian casualties from landmines and explosive remnants in Hodeidah province, western Yemen. UNMHA stated that eight civilians were killed and one injured last month alone due to these hazards. The Iran-backed Houthis are widely accused of extensive landmine planting, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
UNMHA's monthly report, reviewed by "Barran Press," documented five landmine-related incidents in March. These incidents resulted in the deaths of eight civilians, including two children, and the injury of one woman across districts including Durayhimi, Al-Hali, Bayt Al-Faqih, and Hays – areas consistently plagued by landmine explosions.
The report specifically highlighted a significant increase in both incidents and casualties in Hodeidah during March compared to February, emphasizing the escalating threat posed by these indiscriminate weapons. UN estimates suggest that the Iran-backed Houthis have planted approximately two million landmines in territories under their control, contributing to a staggering toll of over 20,000 civilian casualties, with women and children disproportionately affected.