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.