Saudi project clears 3,154 mines in Yemen

Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia at the directive of King Salman to help ease the suffering of the Yemeni people.
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Updated 20 May 2021
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Saudi project clears 3,154 mines in Yemen

RIYADH: The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (Masam) dismantled 3,154 mines in Yemen during the second week of May, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They comprised 122 antipersonnel mines, 2,720 anti-tank mines and 312 unexploded ordnances.

Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia at the directive of King Salman to help ease the suffering of the Yemeni people.

It is implemented by Saudi cadres and international experts with the goal of removing 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 246,866 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 that aim to dismantle mines in Yemen to protect civilians and ensure that urgent humanitarian supplies are delivered safely.

It trains local demining engineers, supplies them with 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.


Saudi Arabia, UAE and allies condemn Gaza ceasefire violations

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Saudi Arabia, UAE and allies condemn Gaza ceasefire violations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday led renewed regional condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, which have resulted in the killing and wounding of more than 1,000 Palestinians.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Kingdom, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkiye said the breaches represented a dangerous escalation that risked inflaming tensions and undermining efforts to restore calm and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They joined Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, who on Saturday condemned what they described as ongoing ceasefire violations and warned they threatened de-escalation efforts and regional stability.

The ministers said the latest developments come at a critical moment, as regional and international efforts intensify to advance the second phase of the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump and implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, SPA added.

They warned that the repeated violations pose a direct threat to the political process and could derail attempts to create the conditions for a more stable phase in Gaza, both in security and humanitarian terms. They stressed the need for full adherence to the ceasefire to ensure the success of the next phase of the peace plan.

The statement called on all parties to assume their responsibilities during this sensitive period, exercise maximum restraint, sustain the ceasefire, and avoid any actions that could undermine current diplomatic efforts. It also urged steps to facilitate early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

Reaffirming their commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, the ministers said this must be based on the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state, in line with international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.