With international confirmation, the Houthis refuse to provide information about mines in Hodeidah
English - Monday 25 September 2023 الساعة 05:46 pm
Hodeidah, NewsYemen, exclusive:
A new report issued by the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) revealed the refusal of the Houthi militias - Iran's arm in Yemen, to cooperate or provide any information related to mines and remnants of war located in Hodeidah Governorate.
The report indicated that the Yemeni Mine Action Coordination Center in the capital, Aden, cooperated with the mission and provided it with updated information about mines on a monthly basis. While the Executive Center for Mine Action in Sanaa, which is under the control of the Houthi militias, refuses to give any data.
The report stated, "The Yemeni Mine Action Coordination Center in Aden reported that in August it recorded 32,092 square meters of new mined dangerous areas. One landmine and two explosive remnants of war were also found in the governorate, and the center destroyed them." While the report confirmed that “there was no data available from the Executive Center for Mine Action in Sana’a.”
The report revealed that 120 civilians were killed as a result of landmines left over from war in Hodeidah Governorate during the period from January to August 2023.
According to the report published on the mission’s page on the “X” platform, mines and explosives caused the deaths of 53 civilians from the beginning of 2023 until August 31. While the number of casualties reached about 67 civilians.
The report indicated that more than half of mine victims are children, accounting for 56 percent, followed by men, accounting for 37 percent, and women, accounting for 7 percent.
During last August, the mission recorded 13 incidents of landmines and explosive remnants of war in Hodeidah Governorate, west of the country.
The mission indicated that the incidents recorded in August resulted in 20 civilian casualties in Hodeidah, including 7 dead and 13 wounded. The number of recorded victims increased by 122 percent compared to last month (July).
According to the mission’s report, the victims were distributed as follows: (10) victims in Al-Durayhimi, (4) victims in Al-Jarrahi, (3) victims in Hays, (2) victims in Bayt Al-Faqih, and (1) in Al-Hawk. The report indicated that 30 percent of the total victims were children.
Hodeidah Governorate is one of the governorates most contaminated with mines and explosive remnants of war, and according to UN statistics, the governorate witnessed 390 civilian casualties. Of them, 138 were killed and 252 were injured as a result of mine explosion incidents, during the period from January 2022 to July 2023.
The UN statements represent a clear confirmation that the Houthi militias continue to ignore the mission or provide it with any information or data to save civilian lives, especially since it is the only party that plants mines in the governorate and Yemen.
Human rights sources were surprised by the great contradiction in the work of the United Nations mission in Hodeidah, which publishes the refusal and stubbornness of the Houthi militias to give them information and data. At the same time, it provides generous support to the militias under the guise of “clearance of mines.”
During the month of August, which was covered by the mission’s report, the Houthi militias received new support from the United Nations program worth about one million dollars, which included about 300 mine detectors and scanners, protective clothing, and other necessary tools for demining teams.
The Yemeni Landmine Monitor confirmed that international support for the Houthi militias under the guise of clearing mines represents “a reward for the killer and nothing more,” noting that the United Nations delivers aid without any guarantees, especially since reports and information confirm that the Houthis are the main party that planted and is still planting mines. In all its forms.
Commenting on the United Nations’ delivery of support to the Houthis in the name of mines, the Observatory said: “We witness almost daily incidents of explosions of mines and military objects in residential areas under the group’s control,” explaining that civilians have not seen any trace of the aid provided to the Houthis by the United Nations under the justification of its carrying out an operation. purification or removal.
