RIYADH: The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (Masam) dismantled 4,184 mines in Yemen during the fourth week of April, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They comprised 314 anti-personnel mines, 2,995 anti-tank mines, 834 unexploded ordnances and 41 explosive devices.
Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia on the directive of King Salman to help ease the suffering of the Yemeni people.
It is implemented by Saudi cadres and international experts to remove mines planted by Iran-backed Houthi militias in various Yemeni regions, especially Marib, Aden, Al-Jawf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, and Saada.
A total of 241,048 mines have been extracted since the start of the project. More than 1.1 million mines have been planted by the Houthis, claiming hundreds of civilian lives.
Masam has 32 demining teams, and aims to dismantle mines in Yemen to protect civilians and ensure that urgent humanitarian supplies are delivered safely.
It trains local demining engineers, gives them modern equipment and helps mine victims.
In 2020, Masam’s contract was extended for one year at a cost of $30 million.
Earlier, the director of Yemen’s National Mine Action Program thanked Saudi Arabia for clearing mines in Yemen.
Brig. Ameen Al-Aqeeli said mines and improvised explosive devices planted by the Iran-backed Houthi militia have so far killed more than 8,000 civilians in the country.
Al-Aqeeli called on the international community to pressure the Houthi militia to stop planting landmines, saying they have caused a humanitarian disaster in Yemen.
Landmine clearance project Masam clears 4,184 more mines in Yemen
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Landmine clearance project Masam clears 4,184 more mines in Yemen
Saudi Scouts Association unveils environmental protection program
- Public service and education program to encourage responsible behavior among young people, says SASA leader
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Scouts Association has launched a new environmental protection program at King Salman Wildlife Park in Banban, north of Riyadh, marking a renewed commitment to conservation and youth engagement in sustainability efforts.
The SASA initiative, unveiled in the presence of role players from various scouting sectors, brought together partners from government agencies and private-sector organizations, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
The program reflects growing collaboration between civic groups and national institutions to advance environmental protection goals across the Kingdom.
Abdulrahman Al-Mudaris, the SASA’s secretary-general, said the initiative underscores the scouts’ active role in supporting national strategies to preserve natural resources and promote sustainable development.
He said environmental scouting was a public service activity and educational approach designed to instill environmental awareness and encourage responsible behavior among young people.
The launch event featured the sowing of seeds and planting of seedlings throughout the park to support vegetation growth and enhance biodiversity, the SPA reported.
Founded in 1961, the SASA is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education.
Over the decades, Saudi scouts have played a visible role in community service, disaster response, and public event organization, including supporting pilgrim services during Hajj and Umrah seasons.
