Houthis plant 1 million mines in Yemen

CAIRO - 5 August 2018: Saudi Arabia announced Saturday the dismantling of 919 mines in Yemen in two weeks, revealing that Houthis had planted 1 million mines over the past three years.

The gulf country launched in June the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM) to remove mines in Yemen, protect civilians and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian supply.

The mines disposed of so far were located in Taiz, Red Sea Coast, Beihan, Osailan, Saada, Shabwa and Marib. The explosive charges killed 1,000 civilians until now, MASAM Director-General Osama al-Qasibi said.

"Most of these mines are internationally banned anti-vehicle and anti-personnel mines that originate from different sources, in addition to 288 locally devised or Iranian-made mines," the Saudi official stated.

Saudi Arabia announced that oil shipping through Bab-el-Mendeb Strait resumed on Saturday after it was halted on July 25, following failed attempts by Iran-backed Houthi militias to target two Saudi oil tankers, Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources Khaled al-Faleh announced.

Faleh pointed out earlier on Saturday that the coalition is deploying tremendous efforts on behalf of the international community to secure Bab-el-Mendeb and Southern Red Sea, guaranteeing trade and oil flow, according to Sky News Arabia.

The minister added that securing such a location is an international and regional responsibility, and that there is a mutual international interest in contributing to such efforts.

The Saudi-led coalition's spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said in a press conference on Friday that the ship that got stuck on reef at Hodeidah port is an indicator that Houthi militias have failed in running the port. He pointed out that 22 million Yemenis have been in distress since Houthis’ rebellion against Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

The alliance called “Coalition Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen” has been operating in the country for three years against Houthis, who have been controlling Hodeidah port, the main conduit for supplies to Yemen.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Iran of deploying its military if it blocks Bab al-Mandeb strait that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.