Saudi project clears 732 Houthi mines in Yemen

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The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. (Project Masam)
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The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. (Project Masam)
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Updated 20 January 2025
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Saudi project clears 732 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 732 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included eight anti-personnel mines, 51 anti-tank mines, 672 unexploded ordnances and one explosive device, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 478,954 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.


Minzal returns to celebrate heritage of historic Diriyah

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Minzal returns to celebrate heritage of historic Diriyah

RIYADH: The Minzal program, part of this year’s Diriyah Season, celebrates the rich natural and cultural heritage of historic Diriyah, where history meets nature.

Overlooking Wadi Safar, the largest tributary of Wadi Hanifah, the program offers an experience inspired by traditional life and authentic Saudi hospitality.

Open daily from 5 p.m. until midnight, Minzal showcases Diriyah’s traditions through heritage storytelling, scenic views, poetry and traditional cuisine, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Running until Feb. 14, the event features horseback riding, falconry, archery, astronomy, and a selection of international restaurants, cafes and retail outlets.

Spread across four main zones highlighting Diriyah’s historical and cultural significance, visitors can enjoy the “Al-Uloom” experience for leather-working, carpet-weaving and wood-working, and the “Sloom” experience for Saudi coffee, desert plants, fire-lighting, camel-milking and tent-making.

The “Faris Al-Badiyah” experience offers horse-riding and archery, while the “Falconry” experience teaches the art of hunting with Arabian falcons.

The “Al-Mushrif” zone provides stargazing under Diriyah’s clear skies, creating a serene atmosphere amid the natural surroundings.

Diriyah Season serves as a global destination for history enthusiasts, offering journeys through heritage sites that once formed the political and cultural center of the region, the SPA reported.

The program combines Najdi authenticity with innovative designs and international standards, reflecting the values and vision of historic Diriyah alongside the Kingdom’s modern development.