JEDDAH: The humanitarian demining project Masam has helped to revive hopes among displaced Yemenis to return to their homes after large-scale mine clearance operations in Hajjah governorate, officials said on Saturday.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, head of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam for Landmine Clearance in Yemen, received Hajjah Governor Maj. Gen. Abdulkarim Al-Sunaini at the project’s headquarters in the Midi district.

During the visit, officials were briefed on the progress and mechanisms of survey and demining operations in the area.

Al-Sunaini expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s leadership for supporting the Masam humanitarian initiative, saying the project had helped save millions of Yemenis and strengthened security and stability in several Yemeni governorates.

He praised Masam’s humanitarian role and its continued efforts to save lives and restore normalcy in liberated districts.

He added that the project’s response had renewed hope among residents seeking to return to homes and farms they were forced to abandon due to landmines and improvised explosive devices planted by the Houthi militia, which triggered a humanitarian crisis.

Al-Gosaibi, meanwhile, welcomed the visit by local authorities and reaffirmed Masam’s commitment to its humanitarian mission.

He said the project would continue working to clear Yemeni territory of landmines to protect civilians, save lives and create a safe environment that allows affected communities to resume normal daily activities without fear.