Landmines continue to pose a serious threat to returning families in Hayran District, northern Hajjah Governorate, where residents are attempting to resume farming and livestock herding after years of displacement.<\/p>\n
Hajjah remains strategically important because of its position along Yemen\u2019s north-western border and Red Sea approaches, while large areas of the governorate have been heavily contaminated by Houthi-laid landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).<\/p>\n
Among those affected is 56-year-old Mohammed Saghir Zein, who returned to his village in the Bani Zein area after the district was retaken, hoping to cultivate his land and rebuild his livelihood.<\/p>\n
Within weeks of the family\u2019s return, one of Mohammed\u2019s daughters was killed in a landmine explosion while travelling with her 14-year-old sister to graze sheep in a nearby valley. Her sister, Al-Zahra, survived but suffered severe psychological trauma.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Project Masam\u2019s media office, Mohammed said: \u201cI returned to my village and fields after a long period of displacement. Just weeks after my return, my daughter Al-Zahra and her 14-year-old sister went to the valley to graze the sheep.\u201d<\/p>\n
The family later suffered further losses when 18 sheep and six cows were killed in separate landmine explosions.<\/p>\n
Mohammed said the threat continues to affect daily life in the area, where families depend heavily on farming and livestock.<\/p>\n
\u201cI go to work worried about my children, fearing they might suffer the same fate as Al-Zahra and her sister,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Mohammed, landmines laid by Houthi forces have contaminated large areas of agricultural and other essential land stretching from the coastal outskirts of Midi through Hayran, Bani Hassan and Mustaba.<\/p>\n
He said many other residents had also suffered civilian and livestock losses linked to explosive contamination.<\/p>\n
The continuing threat is particularly serious for displaced families attempting to return to rural communities, where contaminated farmland, grazing areas and local routes can prevent people from safely resuming their livelihoods.<\/p>\n
Recent media reporting has also documented renewed mine-laying in Abs District, raising further concern about the expansion of explosive contamination in Hajjah Governorate and the risk of additional civilian casualties.<\/p>\n
Project Masam teams continue to survey and clear contaminated land across northern Hajjah, including farmland, grazing areas and routes used by local communities, as residents return to areas affected by years of conflict.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t