The Masam Project for clearing Yemeni lands of mines, affiliated with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, continued its successive field achievements in securing the lives of civilians. During the second week of January 2026, the project's engineering teams successfully removed 1,181 mines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in various liberated Yemeni governorates. These included 4 anti-personnel mines, 61 anti-tank mines, 1,114 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and 2 IEDs.
Details of field operations in the governorates
The efforts of the MASAM teams were spread across several fronts and vital areas. In Aden Governorate, intensive activity was observed, including the removal of one unexploded ordnance in the Khormaksar district and 581 pieces of unexploded ordnance in the Aden district. On the western coast, specifically in the Hays district of Al Hudaydah Governorate, the team successfully removed two pieces of unexploded ordnance. Meanwhile, in the Midi district of Hajjah Governorate, a significant achievement was made with the removal of 57 anti-tank mines, 13 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and two improvised explosive devices.
The operations extended to Al-Mudharabah district in Lahj governorate, where two pieces of ordnance were removed, and to Marib governorate, where four anti-personnel mines and 467 pieces of unexploded ordnance were removed in Marib district, in addition to three pieces of ordnance in Asilan district of Shabwa. In Taiz governorate, the teams focused their efforts in Al-Mukha, Dhubab, and Saluh districts, where four anti-tank mines and a total of 45 pieces of unexploded ordnance were removed.
Project importance and humanitarian context
This ongoing effort is part of the pivotal role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. The "Masam" project is a unique humanitarian initiative aimed at ridding Yemen of the scourge of landmines that were indiscriminately planted in residential areas, schools, farms, and roads. The importance of these operations lies in their paving the way for the safe return of displaced persons to their homes and allowing for the resumption of economic and agricultural activity that has been disrupted by land contamination from war remnants.
Total number of mines removed and their impact
With this latest count, the number of mines removed in January alone has risen to 1,917. More importantly, the total number of mines and unexploded ordnance cleared since the launch of Project Masam has reached 531,868. This staggering figure reflects the scale of the disaster that has been averted, as these mines were potential death traps targeting the lives of innocent women, children, and the elderly. These figures underscore the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to supporting security and stability in Yemen and providing a safe environment that allows Yemeni citizens to live normal lives free from the fear of planted explosives.
