Houthi-planted mines increase civilian casualties

Yemeni Information Minister Muammar Al-Eryani called on the international community, the United Nations and the UN envoy to put pressure on the Houthi militias to stop producing and planting all types of mines, provide minefield maps, and work to support the Yemeni government’s programs to clear Yemeni lands of mines, rehabilitate the wounded and reintegrate them into society.

"Terrorist Houthi militia of Iran has planted thousands of mines indiscriminately in all areas it has reached, or withdrawn from, in war zones, and those it still controls, in the largest mine-laying operation since World War II".

"Houthi militia laid mines in public and private places, homes, markets, main and subsidiary streets, and farms, without differentiating between civilian and military objects, and thousands of civilians were killed, mostly women, children and elderly or their limbs were amputated".

"Civilian casualties continued on daily basis as a result of mines that were randomly planted by Houthi militia in populated areas in Yemeni governorates, and mines prevent millions from returning to their homes, villages and farms to lead their normal lives".

"The international community, UN and the UN envoy are required to pressure Houthi militia to stop manufacturing and planting mines of all kinds, provide maps of minefields, support government demining programs, rehabilitate the injured and reintegrate them into society".

Since the beginning of 2018, at least 1,424 civilians were killed in Yemen by landmines and other explosive devices, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.