Mines exacerbate Yemenis’ suffering_ claim the lives of many

The United Nations has classified the humanitarian tragedy in Yemen, now in its eighth year, as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. One aspect of this tragedy is the landmines.

“Masam” demining project in Yemen reports that in 2021 it removed 96,714 mines and explosive devices from several liberated governorates, and in January 2022 Masam’s teams removed 23,315 mines and explosive devices, the majority of which were in the newly liberated areas; Shabwa, Marib, and Hodeidah.

According to the project, there are different forms and types of mines, some with advanced technologies and are more dangerous. In the isolation of Bani Fayed, Midi Al Sahela district, Hajjah Governorate, northwest of Yemen, the child Raed Jarbahi is one of the thousands of landmine victims in Yemen, as a mine explosion, while he was returning from sheep farming, led to the amputation of his right leg and injuries in his right and left hand.

Raed advises all those who work in sheep farming or agriculture of the danger of their work amid the spread of mines. Meanwhile, his brother Ali appeals to the authorities to provide a prosthetic limb for Raed so that he can return to his school and his normal life.

The local authorities in Hajjah governorate point out that the number of mine victims in its districts has crossed 50, including about 20 victims in Midi Al-Sahila district, most of them are children.

The material losses included the death of about 27 camels and more than 44 sheep, in addition to the losses in the agricultural sector due to the farmers’ inability to reach their mine-infested lands.