RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has called on the international community and the UN to force Houthi militias to stop planting mines. 

This came during the Kingdom’s address to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee.

The address was delivered by the member of the Kingdom’s permanent mission to the UN, second secretary Faisal bin Saeed Al-Bishi, who reviewed Saudi efforts to tackle Houthi mine planting.

“Mines are a danger all over the world, and the Kingdom is one of the countries that faces a threat to their population and territorial integrity, as Houthi militias have randomly planted tens of thousands of mines on the Saudi-Yemeni border,” he said.

Al-Bishi added: “These militias have manufactured mines that are easy to hide in the local environment, which increases their risk to civilians, and have planted them indiscriminately in Yemeni cities and villages, killing thousands of civilians, including children and women. The Houthi militias have also laid mines in the southern Red Sea, threatening the security of international maritime lines.”

Al-Bishi underlined that the Kingdom sought to keep Yemeni civilians safe through the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (Masam) mine project, which completed its first year of operations in June.

“This project is of great importance due to its active role in saving the lives of thousands of innocent people, as it seeks to complete the clearance of Yemeni lands and coasts of mines manufactured and planted by the Houthis,” he added.