Mine Action Executive Director: 9,500 civilians killed and wounded by cluster bombs in Yemen

SANAA, Nov. 19 (YPA) – The Executive Director of the National Program for Mine Action, Brigadier General Ali Safra, reported that over 9,500 civilians, predominantly women and children, have fallen victim to cluster bomb remnants and landmines since the onset of the war against Yemen up to the end of October.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of a workshop aimed at updating national mine-related procedures and victim assistance standards in line with international norms, Brigadier General Safra noted that Yemen ranks third globally in landmine victims, according to UN reports.

The workshop’s goal is to develop standards that address the needs of victims of explosive remnants, cluster bombs, and landmines while tackling their economic, social, and psychological impacts.

Safra highlighted that victims extend beyond landmines and cluster bombs, with the center receiving numerous appeals from those affected by airstrikes. He revealed that approximately 50,000 individuals have died due to airstrikes and coalition bombing campaigns, while injuries from these attacks have reached 31,000.

He noted that the remnants of these munitions pose a substantial challenge for the center and its partners, including government, national, international, and UN organizations. These issues fall under Protocol V of the Ottawa Convention.

The workshop aims to identify victims’ actual needs, create a unified national database, streamline service delivery mechanisms, and enhance collaboration with relevant entities.

@E.Y.M