Yemen: Saudi MASAM Clears 2,963 Houthi Mines in March

The MASAM project removed over 500 Houthi mines in Yemen during the first week of February. (SPA)
The MASAM project removed over 500 Houthi mines in Yemen during the first week of February. (SPA)
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Yemen: Saudi MASAM Clears 2,963 Houthi Mines in March

The MASAM project removed over 500 Houthi mines in Yemen during the first week of February. (SPA)
The MASAM project removed over 500 Houthi mines in Yemen during the first week of February. (SPA)

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's project for clearing mines in Yemen, Masam, demined 2,963 mines during the first week of March 2020.

The cleared mines include 310 anti-tank, 14 anti-personnel mines, 2,637 unexploded ordnance, and two explosive devices.

Since the start of the MASAM project, 148,427 landmines planted by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen have been removed.

Houthis attempt to hide mines in various forms, colors, and methods, resulting in the death of a large number of children, women and the elderly as well as serious injuries and amputation of organs.



Palestinians Create Role for a Vice President and Possible Abbas Successor

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
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Palestinians Create Role for a Vice President and Possible Abbas Successor

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)

The Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday announced the creation of a vice presidency under 89-year-old leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has not specified a successor.
The PLO Central Council's decision came as Abbas seeks greater relevance and a role in postwar planning for the Gaza Strip after having been largely sidelined by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
After a two-day meeting, the council voted to create the role of vice chairman of the PLO Executive Committee. This position would also be referred to as the vice president of the State of Palestine, which the Palestinians hope will one day receive full international recognition.
The expectation is that whoever holds that role would be the front-runner to succeed Abbas — though it’s unclear when or exactly how it would be filled. Abbas is to choose his vice president from among the other 15 members of the PLO's executive committee.