The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's "Masam" project for clearing Yemeni lands of mines announced a new achievement in its humanitarian mission. During the third week of January, it successfully removed 837 mines and unexploded ordnance from several Yemeni governorates. These included one anti-personnel mine, 104 anti-tank mines, 729 pieces of unexploded ordnance, and three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bringing the total number of mines removed in January alone to 2,700.

Background to the tragedy of landmines in Yemen

The landmine problem in Yemen is one of the most serious consequences of the years-long conflict. Houthi militias have indiscriminately planted hundreds of thousands of mines in residential areas, agricultural lands, roads, schools, and water sources, without any clear maps. These mines, which include anti-tank and anti-personnel mines as well as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), make no distinction between combatants and civilians, turning vast areas of the country into death traps that will threaten the lives of Yemenis for decades to come, even after the conflict ends.

The devastating impact on civilian lives

The humanitarian impact of these deadly weapons is catastrophic. They have killed and injured thousands of civilians, including a large number of women and children, who are the most affected. They have also caused permanent disabilities, amputations, and profound psychological trauma. Economically, landmines have paralyzed the movement of people, prevented farmers from accessing their land, and hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid to affected areas, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and increasing the suffering of a people struggling to survive.

Details of “Masam” field efforts

The MASAM engineering teams continue their tireless work across various governorates. In Aden Governorate, 242 unexploded ordnance were removed. In Hodeidah Governorate, two unexploded ordnance were cleared from Hays District. Efforts also extended to other districts, such as Al-Yatima in Al-Jawf Governorate and Midi in Hajjah Governorate, where 91 anti-tank mines and 167 pieces of unexploded ordnance were removed. In Lahj, Marib, Shabwa, and Taiz, intensive clearance operations continued, addressing anti-tank and anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices, highlighting the scale of the challenges faced by the teams on the ground.

The importance of the project and its role in restoring life

Launched in 2018, the Masam Project is a vital humanitarian response to this catastrophe. Since its inception, the project has successfully removed over 532,700 landmines and unexploded ordnance, directly contributing to saving countless lives. The project's importance extends beyond military clearance; it also includes restoring hope to affected communities, enabling displaced persons to return safely to their homes, revitalizing agricultural and economic activity, and securing safe passage for aid teams. These efforts, undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, represent a cornerstone for achieving peace and stability and empowering Yemenis to build a secure and dignified future.

A horrific tragedy struck the Andalusia region of southern Spain on Sunday evening when a train collision killed at least 39 people and injured 123 others, in what has been described as one of the worst rail disasters in the country in years. Spanish public broadcaster RTVE announced the updated death toll, which has risen significantly from the initial estimate of 24 fatalities, reflecting the scale of the disaster.

The accident occurred approximately 200 kilometers north of the coastal city of Malaga, when a Renfe high-speed train traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and collided with another train bound for Huelva. According to Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente, the force of the impact caused the front two carriages of the high-speed train to completely derail, resulting in the high number of casualties.

Large-scale emergency response

Immediately after the accident, emergency and ambulance teams rushed to the scene, which was described as chaotic and distressing. The Andalusian ambulance service confirmed via its X platform that rescue operations continued around the clock. Due to the scale of the incident, Spanish authorities deployed a military emergency unit to support medical teams in evacuating the injured. A field hospital was also set up nearby to provide initial treatment to critical cases before their transfer. The injured, including five in extremely critical condition and 24 in serious condition, were transported to hospitals in the nearby cities of Córdoba and Andújar.

Historical context and questions about safety

This incident brings to mind the 2013 Santiago de Compostela train disaster, which claimed 80 lives and was the worst train accident in Spain in decades. Although the Spanish railway network, and especially its high-speed rail lines (AVE), enjoys a good reputation and an excellent safety record worldwide, this tragedy inevitably raises questions about safety standards and maintenance procedures. The relevant authorities have launched an urgent investigation to determine the precise causes of the derailment, whether it was due to human error, a technical malfunction, or a problem with the signaling and control system.

Local and international impact

Locally, the accident caused widespread shock throughout Andalusia and Spain, with official mourning declared in several municipalities. Rail services in the south of the country are expected to be disrupted for several days as teams work to clear the wreckage of the two trains and repair the damage to infrastructure. Internationally, news of the accident made global headlines, and messages of condolence and sympathy poured into Spain from world leaders, highlighting the profound human impact of this disaster that struck one of Europe's most sophisticated transport systems.