Head of Mokha Center Visits Masam Mine Clearance Project in Marib

The Head of the Mokha Center for Strategic Studies, Ateq Jarallah, accompanied by Mohammed Al-Wals Buhaibeh, head of the Red Sea Center for Political and Security Studies, visited the headquarters of the Saudi mine clearance project Masam in Marib Governorate. The visit aimed to gain firsthand insight into the project’s efforts in removing landmines and mitigating their devastating impact in Yemen.

Upon arrival, the delegation was welcomed by Masam’s Operations Manager, Tony Roberts, and Deputy Administrative and Logistics Manager, Ahmed Bakhit. The officials provided a comprehensive overview of the project’s operations, detailing the challenges faced by field teams and the risks involved in demining. They highlighted the profound sacrifices made in this humanitarian mission, noting that Masam has lost 32 workers, including five foreign experts, in the line of duty.

The presentation also featured a visual account of the human toll landmines have taken on Yemeni civilians, along with an in-depth analysis of the different types of mines scattered across various regions of the country.

Since its launch in 2018, Masam has deployed 33 specialized teams across multiple Yemeni governorates. Roberts shared that the project has successfully removed more than 480,000 landmines and unexploded ordnance, clearing approximately 58 million square meters of land—efforts that have been instrumental in making communities safer.

Beyond mine clearance, Masam is dedicated to building local expertise by training Yemeni personnel and conducting awareness programs to help communities navigate the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance.

During the meeting, Jarallah introduced the Mokha Center’s research initiatives, which include consultations, strategic studies, and training programs focused on development and peacebuilding. He emphasized the center’s role in producing research papers and policy analyses on Yemen, which are shared with researchers, institutions, and policymakers engaged in the country’s affairs.

The discussion also explored potential areas of collaboration between the Mokha Center and Masam, particularly in strengthening research efforts and establishing channels for knowledge-sharing to support ongoing demining efforts.

Expressing deep appreciation for the dedication and sacrifices of Masam’s field teams, Jarallah underscored the importance of sustaining mine clearance operations even after the war ends. The lack of accurate maps detailing mine locations, coupled with the sheer scale of contamination, makes this an ongoing humanitarian necessity.

He further commended Masam for its remarkable contributions to protecting civilians and restoring livelihoods in Yemen, describing the project as a model of excellence in humanitarian demining despite the immense challenges it faces.

Jarallah reaffirmed the Mokha Center’s commitment to supporting Masam by documenting and archiving its achievements, ensuring that its invaluable work is recognized and preserved as part of Yemen’s journey toward recovery and peace.