Project Masam has destroyed 5,977 explosive hazards collected from across Yemen’s western coastal region during a large-scale demolition operation in Bab al-Mandab, Taiz Governorate, as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce the threat posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).<\/p>\n
The bulk demolition<\/a> included 142 shells of various types, 2,758 fuzes, 2,998 rounds of ammunition, 14 anti-personnel mines, 36 anti-tank mines, nine hand grenades, six rockets, eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and six warheads. The operation was carried out in accordance with approved technical safety procedures.<\/p>\n Engineer Adeeb Rajab, Leader of Masam’s Special Task Team 2 (STT2), said the demolished items represented the total number of explosive hazards recovered by Masam teams over the past month from multiple locations along Yemen’s western coast.<\/p>\n The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialist explained that the items had been cleared from villages, agricultural land and grazing areas, where they posed a continuing threat to civilians, particularly children, farmers and shepherds.<\/p>\n Rajab also outlined the technical procedures followed during the demolition operation. The process began with excavating and preparing a demolition pit before the explosive items were carefully arranged in eight successive layers.<\/p>\n Small-calibre ammunition was placed in the lower layers, while larger high-explosive items were positioned above to generate sufficient force to ensure the complete destruction of all explosive hazards and eliminate any residual risk.<\/p>\n He urged residents across Yemen’s western coastal areas not to approach, move or tamper with suspicious objects or explosive remnants of war, warning that even long-abandoned items remain capable of causing death or serious injury.<\/p>\n Rajab also called on communities to immediately report suspected landmines or explosive remnants of war to Project Masam, security authorities or local officials so that specialist teams can respond safely and prevent further civilian casualties.<\/p>\n Bab al-Mandab remains a strategically important area connecting Yemen’s western Red Sea coastline with the southern governorates. Years of conflict have left extensive contamination<\/a> across villages, farmland and transport routes, making survey, clearance and the safe destruction of recovered explosive hazards essential to restoring safe access for local communities.<\/p>\n Project Masam continues to conduct survey, clearance and demolition operations across multiple governorates, removing explosive hazards from civilian areas and reducing the long-term risks posed by landmines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t