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Number of Houthi Mine Victims in Yemen Increases

Houthi mines removed and destroyed through the Saudi MASAM project (Yemeni military media)
Houthi mines removed and destroyed through the Saudi MASAM project (Yemeni military media)
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Number of Houthi Mine Victims in Yemen Increases

Houthi mines removed and destroyed through the Saudi MASAM project (Yemeni military media)
Houthi mines removed and destroyed through the Saudi MASAM project (Yemeni military media)

The casualties of landmines planted randomly by Houthi militias have increased by 30 percent in Feb. compared to the same period last year, a report by the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) showed.

Data published by an independent Yemeni organization also showed that 42 people were killed and 61 were wounded from landmines in six weeks, since the beginning of the new year.

In February 2023, UNMHA recorded 21 civilian casualties due to landmines and ERW incidents, a 30 percent increase compared to February 2022 (16) and a nine percent decrease compared to January 2023 (23).

This includes nine civilians injured (five children) and 12 killed (one woman killed and six children killed). The casualties were distributed across the Al Garrahi, Al Hali, Ad Durayhimi, Bayt Al Faqih, At Tuhayta, and Hays districts.

"Hodeidah Governorate remains the most landmine and ERW-impacted governorate in Yemen. Freedom of movement and livelihood activities of the local population has been restricted due to the risk of landmines and ERW."

"UNMHA continues to advocate for urgent humanitarian mine action and international support to demining efforts in the governorate."

The Yemeni Landmine Records documented the death of 42 and the injury of 61 between January and mid-February in nine Yemeni provinces.

Three children were killed in Hais by a landmine planted by the militias on a football field. This incident reveals that the Houthis' use of mines "was never for military purposes but to paralyze public life".

The Houthis have planted landmines in schools and agricultural areas and even around water sources, added the report.

The Yemen Executive Mine Action Center (YEMAC) - Taiz - documented 17 deaths and 20 casualties of women out of 1,222 victims of the landmines planted by the Houthis between 2017 and Feb. 2023.

YEMAC revealed that the stories of women about landmines “break the heart”.

The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance in Yemen (MASAM) announced removing during the first week of March 880 landmines planted by the Houthi militias across Yemen. 

They were distributed as follows: 677 unexploded ordnance, two explosive devices, 198 anti-tank mines, and three anti-personnel mines.

Since its launch, MASAM has removed 390,586 mines randomly planted by the Houthi militias.

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Arab World

EU Cautiously Agrees Roadmap to Ease Sanctions on Syria in Wake of Assad’s Downfall

People walk in front of the historic Hejaz train station in Damascus on January 26, 2025. (AFP)
People walk in front of the historic Hejaz train station in Damascus on January 26, 2025. (AFP)
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EU Cautiously Agrees Roadmap to Ease Sanctions on Syria in Wake of Assad’s Downfall

People walk in front of the historic Hejaz train station in Damascus on January 26, 2025. (AFP)
People walk in front of the historic Hejaz train station in Damascus on January 26, 2025. (AFP)

European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed to begin lifting sanctions on Syria, while insisting that the measures should be reimposed if they see any abuses by the country’s new rulers.

The EU started to impose asset freezes and travel bans on Syrian officials and organizations in 2011 in response to Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on protesters, which festered into a civil war.

The 27-nation bloc targeted 316 people and 86 entities accused of backing Syria’s former ruler. It is keen to lift those measures if Syria’s new leaders set the country on the path to a peaceful political future involving all minority groups and in which extremism and former allies Russia and Iran have no place.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ministers had agreed on a “roadmap” for easing sanctions. Speaking after chairing the meeting, she said, the aim was to lift those measures “that are most hindering the early buildup of the country and to move from there.”

She underlined that the ministers had only reached “a political agreement” - not one to start easing the measures immediately - and that “there are also technical issues to be solved” in the weeks ahead before any sanctions can be lifted.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani welcomed on Monday the EU's decision to lift sanctions, describing it as a “positive step” in a post on X.

Kallas said that an easing of sanctions “could give a boost to the Syrian economy and help the country get back on its feet.” But she added: “While we aim to move fast, we also are ready to reverse the course if the situation worsens.”

The ministers favor on a “snap back” mechanism to reimpose sanctions if they believe that Syria's new leaders are heading in the wrong direction.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said the aim would be to lift restrictions on things like Syria’s infrastructure and energy sector “so that the country can develop itself again.” He said that “certain sanctions will stay in place, such as (on) weapons exports.”

Since Damascus fell on Dec. 8 and Assad fled to Moscow, Syria’s transition has appeared promising, but the new leadership has yet to lay out a clear vision of how the country will be governed.

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group – a former al-Qaeda affiliate that the EU and UN consider to be a terrorist organization – has established itself as Syria’s de facto rulers after coordinating with the southern fighters during the offensive late last year.

Veldkamp said that the restrictions on HTS itself would not be eased initially. “They’re the new ones in power. We want to see how their words are translated into actions,” he told reporters.