RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has extended Masam, the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance in Yemen, another year to allow for the removal of the explosive devices planted by the Houthi militia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The $33.29 million contract will ensure that Saudi and international experts can continue their work in several regions, especially Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The project is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia on the orders of King Salman to help ease the suffering of the Yemeni people.

Masam has 32 demining teams that work to protect civilians and ensure that urgent humanitarian supplies are delivered safely. It trains local demining engineers, supplies them with modern equipment, and provides care for victims.

KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah emphasized the importance of the Masam project in clearing Yemeni lands from mines that were planted by the Houthis indiscriminately, targeting defenseless civilians and causing permanent injuries, disabilities, and loss of life. 

Al-Rabeeah thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their humanitarian efforts in Yemen and around the world.

Meanwhile, the project’s special teams destroyed 65 anti-personnel mines, 143 anti-tank mines, 1,844 unexploded ordnance, and 23 explosive devices during the second week of June.

A total of 404,333 mines have been cleared since the launch of the project.