Masam destroys nearly 6,000 items of unexploded ordnance in Bab Al-Mandab

TAIZ — Saudi-backed Project Masam has destroyed 5,977 items of unexploded ordnance in the Bab Al-Mandab area of Yemen's Taiz governorate as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the threat posed by landmines and other remnants of war.The destroyed ordnance 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 missiles, eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and six warheads, following the completion of technical safety procedures.Adib Rajab, commander of Masam's Special Task Team 2, said the destroyed items had been collected over the past month from different parts of Yemen's western coast.He said the team's demining personnel recovered the unexploded ordnance from villages, farmland and grazing areas, where it posed a direct threat to civilians, particularly children, farmers and shepherds.Rajab said the destruction process was carried out in accordance with approved technical procedures, beginning with the excavation of a deep pit to accommodate the ordnance before arranging the items in successive layers. The latest operation involved eight layers of explosive remnants.He explained that smaller munitions were placed in the lower layers, while highly explosive materials were positioned above them to ensure a controlled detonation capable of completely destroying all items and eliminating any remaining hazardous fragments.Rajab urged residents in Yemen's western coastal areas not to approach, move or tamper with suspicious objects or unexploded ordnance because of the danger they pose.He also called on the public to immediately report any suspected explosive remnants of war to Masam teams, security authorities or local officials so they can be safely removed.Project Masam continues to conduct mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal operations across several Yemeni governorates, where unexploded munitions remain a persistent threat to civilians and daily life.