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Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) released its December 2024 human rights report, documenting the devastating impact of landmines and explosive devices in Yemen.
Eighteen people, including children, were killed or injured in December alone, allegedly due to devices planted by the Houthi militia. This tragic toll underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where landmines pose a persistent and widespread threat to civilian life.
WJWC strongly condemns these actions as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, highlighting the deliberate perpetuation of fear and displacement across affected regions. The report underscores the urgent need to address the lingering threat of unexploded ordnance and its devastating consequences for Yemen's fragile peace and development efforts.
The scale of the problem is staggering. International reports confirm that Yemen is one of the most mine-contaminated countries globally, with estimates suggesting that the Houthi militia has planted over two million mines since the conflict began. These mines have already claimed thousands of lives and caused countless injuries since 2015, disproportionately affecting children.
Despite this immense challenge, significant mine clearance efforts are underway. The MASAM project alone reported clearing 48,705 mines, unexploded ordnance, and explosive devices in 2024, bringing its total to over 476,000 since its inception. A government official stated that over 1.25 million such devices have been removed from Yemeni lands since 2015, encompassing the efforts of MASAM and other organizations. While these efforts are commendable, they highlight the monumental task ahead in securing Yemen's land and protecting its population from this devastating legacy of war.
The report details specific incidents across several governorates, illustrating the widespread nature of the problem and the diverse range of victims. In Hodeidah, Taiz, Hajjah, and al-Jawf, farmers, families, and children fell victim to landmines and explosive remnants of war. For example, in al-Suwaidiyah, al-Khokha District, Abdul Jabbar Faryal was killed and Khaled Jawir injured on December 6th.
Tragically, on December 31st, Abdullah Jaber Mashhour and his son Mohammed lost their lives in Ad Durayhimi District. These incidents are just a few examples of the numerous casualties documented in the report, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these attacks and the constant danger faced by civilians.
The report also details injuries to farmers working their land, families traveling on roads, and children playing near unexploded ordnance, underscoring the pervasive threat posed by these weapons. The report concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for increased international support to address this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
