Landmines in Marib: A threat to the lives of camel herders and their herds

Landmines in Yemen pose a threat to the lives of Yemenis in many areas that have witnessed military confrontations in recent years, including Ma'rib Governorate.

A landmine warning sign in Yemen's Marib Governorate carries a message to camel herders that their next move could be their last.

Displaced or forced to move to smaller areas due to the war, Bedouins hope to restore their traditional nomadic lifestyle, but finding safe grazing land is fraught with danger.

Camel herders in Marib

Camel herder Ajim Suhail said that grazing was more abundant in the south, but these areas are mined, and whenever any of the animals head south, a mine explodes. He added that the Bedouins have moved north to escape the minefields and combat zones.

Although there has been no major escalation or shift in frontline positions for years, the United Nations warns of the potential for renewed violence.

Camel herder Saeed said that if they let the camels graze unrestrained, they might walk towards the landmines and step on them, causing them to explode.

A 2024 Human Rights Watch report showed that landmines laid by warring parties continue to kill or injure civilians in areas where fighting has ceased.

Shepherd Saleh Al-Qadri said, "The war, the Houthis' proximity, and the mines. This is our biggest problem."

A report issued by Mwatana, a local human rights organization, documented 537 incidents of landmine use between January 2016 and March 2024.

Ma'rib Governorate in central Yemen is one of the worst-affected provinces, with herders saying they are forced to remain in their tents for fear of landmines and to move their camels within a narrow range.

The danger of mines in Yemen

The United Nations Development Programme reported that landmines and explosive remnants of war pose a grave threat to millions of people across Yemen.

The legitimate government accuses the Houthi militias of planting two and a half million landmines in more than 15 governorates, areas where conflict has raged since March 2015. These mines include various types of anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines, as well as naval mines.

Saudi Arabia funds the Masam project for mine clearance in Yemen, which is now in its seventh consecutive year. According to project director Osama Al-Qossabi, the project has removed 450,919 mines and various shells in July 2024. The project periodically announces mine clearance operations.

The landmine crisis in Yemen dates back to the 1980s, when 12 million mines were transported from Libya to Yemen, most of them planted in the border areas between North and South Yemen. According to a report by the Sana'a Center for Studies , "Civilians continue to suffer from this deadly legacy to this day, as most of these mines are scattered across farms and grazing areas, claiming the lives of farmers and shepherds."

Source: Yemen Youth Net + Reuters