RIYADH: KSrelief’s Masam project for clearing landmines in Yemen removed 1,263 mines in the first week of March, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Masam team removed two pieces of unexploded ordnance in Al-Khokha district in Hodeidah governorate; three anti-personnel mines and 875 pieces unexploded ordnance in Mukalla district in Hadramout governorate; and 33 anti-tank mines and 350 pieces of unexploded ordnance in Marib governorate.

The total number of mines cleared since the project began in 2018 has now risen to 547,215.

These mines had been indiscriminately planted across Yemeni lands, claiming the lives of innocent civilians — children, women, and the elderly — and instilling fear among the population.

Through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to clear Yemeni lands of mines, enhancing civilian safety and contributing to enabling the Yemeni people to live dignified and secure lives.

Masam removed 6,682 mines, unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices between Feb. 1 and Feb. 20, the project said.

The total included 5,278 pieces of unexploded ordnance, 1,325 anti-tank mines, 38 anti-personnel mines and 41 improvised explosive devices.

During the third week of February alone, Masam teams cleared 2,484 pieces of unexploded ordnance, 149 anti-tank mines, 17 anti-personnel mines and 26 improvised explosive devices.

The project said that its teams cleared 729,273 sq. meters of land across Yemen up to Feb. 20.

Since operations began in Midi district, Masam teams have removed 8,252 mines, unexploded ordnance and explosive devices, including 2,676 mines and unexploded ordanance cleared during recent operations.