RIYADH: Masam, an ongoing Saudi project to clear land mines in Yemen, saw 1,339 devices planted by the Iran-backed Houthis dismantled in the first week of June. Overseen by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the project’s special teams destroyed nine anti-personnel mines, 67 anti-tank mines, 1,259 unexploded ordnance, and four explosive devices. Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia on the orders of King Salman to help the Yemeni people. It clears routes for much-needed humanitarian aid aimed at supporting the country’s citizens. The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, and Saada. A total of 402,258 mines have been cleared since the start of the project. More than 1.2 million mines have been planted by the Houthis, claiming the lives of hundreds of civilians. The project trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.