UN Envoy’s Adviser Praises KSrelief Masam Project in Yemen

The military adviser to the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Antony Hayward, has publicly commended the Masam Project of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) for its work clearing landmines across Yemen, describing the initiative as vital to protecting civilian lives and securing large areas of Yemeni territory. The endorsement came during an official visit to the project’s headquarters in Marib, where the UN official reviewed the center’s operations and met with teams working in some of the country’s most contaminated areas. The statement, released through the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), represents a significant international recognition of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian role in Yemen.

So why does a single visit to a demining headquarters in Marib carry weight far beyond its immediate setting? Because it underscores a broader reality: while Yemen’s conflict has drawn extensive international attention, the painstaking, dangerous work of removing explosive hazards from villages, roads, and farmland rarely receives the recognition it deserves. The UN official’s remarks place that work firmly in the global spotlight, acknowledging that the Masam Project operates in exceptionally difficult conditions yet continues to deliver measurable protection for Yemeni families. The praise also reinforces the credibility of Saudi humanitarian efforts at a time when the Kingdom’s international partnerships are expanding across multiple sectors.

Context and Background

How did Yemen become one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world? Years of conflict have left behind a lethal legacy of anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, and improvised explosive devices scattered across agricultural land, water sources, roads, and residential neighborhoods. The United Nations has repeatedly identified explosive hazards as one of the primary obstacles to humanitarian access and post-conflict recovery in Yemen. According to humanitarian assessments, these devices have caused thousands of civilian casualties, many of them children, and have prevented displaced families from returning to their homes and livelihoods.

In response to this crisis, KSrelief launched the Masam Project in 2018 as a comprehensive demining initiative. The project deploys trained teams, specialized equipment, and survey experts across Yemen to locate, identify, and safely destroy explosive remnants of war. Its work is not limited to clearance alone; Masam also conducts risk education programs that teach communities how to recognize and avoid explosive hazards, and it provides medical and rehabilitation support to victims of landmine incidents. The project has become one of the largest humanitarian demining operations in the region, operating under the umbrella of Saudi Arabia’s broader relief and aid strategy for Yemen.

The visit by Antony Hayward, the military adviser to the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, to the Masam headquarters in Marib represents a formal acknowledgment of these efforts. During his tour, he received briefings on the project’s operational methodology, its geographic reach, and the challenges its teams face daily. His presence at the facility signals that the international community recognizes the central role such initiatives play in stabilizing Yemen and enabling humanitarian access to vulnerable populations.

Key Details of the UN Official’s Visit

What exactly did the UN military adviser observe during his time at the Masam headquarters? According to the official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, Hayward praised the project for working to protect the lives of civilians and for securing large areas of Yemeni territory despite the significant challenges posed by landmines. He stressed the importance of continuing such humanitarian projects to achieve stability in Yemen and to protect civilians from the persistent threat of explosive devices. His remarks were delivered on the record during his visit, adding formal weight to the endorsement.

The UN official’s recognition carries particular significance because it comes from within the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, the primary international diplomatic mechanism tasked with mediating the country’s conflict and coordinating humanitarian responses. When a senior military adviser attached to that office publicly commends a Saudi-led humanitarian initiative, it reflects a level of institutional trust and operational confidence that cannot be manufactured. It also highlights the practical, on-the-ground results that the Masam Project has achieved — results measured not in press releases but in land returned to productive use and lives saved from hidden explosives.

The Masam Project’s headquarters in Marib serves as a central coordination hub for demining operations across multiple governorates. Marib itself has been a focal point of displacement and conflict, making the location of the headquarters strategically important for reaching affected communities. The project’s teams work in coordination with local authorities, tribal leaders, and international humanitarian organizations to ensure that clearance operations are carried out safely and effectively. The UN official’s visit provided an opportunity to observe these coordination mechanisms firsthand and to assess the project’s impact on the ground.

International and Regional Impact

Why does international recognition of the Masam Project matter for the wider region? Yemen’s stability has direct implications for the security of the Arabian Peninsula and the broader Middle East. Landmines and unexploded ordnance do not respect borders; they hinder trade routes, disrupt agricultural production, and create enduring humanitarian emergencies that can fuel further instability. By clearing these hazards, the Masam Project contributes not only to Yemen’s recovery but also to regional security and economic reintegration. The UN official’s praise underscores that Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian engagement in Yemen is a stabilizing force with benefits that extend well beyond individual communities.

The endorsement also strengthens the case for continued international support for demining efforts in Yemen. Humanitarian demining is expensive, technically demanding, and dangerous work. It requires sustained funding, specialized training, and long-term commitment from donor countries and organizations. When a UN official publicly validates the effectiveness of a major demining initiative, it sends a signal to the international donor community that investments in this area are producing tangible results. For Saudi Arabia, this recognition reinforces its position as a leading humanitarian donor and a responsible regional actor committed to alleviating suffering and promoting peace.

Regional organizations and neighboring countries have also taken note of the Masam Project’s achievements. The project’s model of combining clearance operations with risk education and victim assistance offers a comprehensive approach that could be adapted to other post-conflict environments. The UN official’s visit and subsequent remarks may encourage further collaboration between Saudi humanitarian institutions and international agencies, potentially expanding the scope and scale of demining operations in Yemen and beyond.

Economic and Strategic Significance

What is the economic value of clearing landmines from Yemeni territory? The answer goes far beyond the immediate safety of civilians. Land that is contaminated by explosive devices cannot be farmed, grazed, or developed. Roads that are mined cannot be used for trade or humanitarian delivery. When the Masam Project clears a field or a road, it unlocks economic potential that has been frozen by conflict. Farmers can return to their land, markets can reopen, and goods can move more freely. Over time, these micro-level improvements contribute to macro-level recovery, helping Yemen rebuild its agricultural sector and restore livelihoods that have been devastated by years of war.

From a strategic perspective, Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts in Yemen are an integral component of its broader regional policy. The Kingdom has consistently emphasized that Yemen’s stability is essential to its own national security and to the security of the Arabian Peninsula. By investing in demining, medical care, food assistance, and infrastructure rehabilitation, Saudi Arabia is working to create conditions for lasting peace and development. The UN official’s commendation of the Masam Project validates this approach and highlights the practical benefits of combining humanitarian action with diplomatic engagement.

The Masam Project also demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s capacity to manage complex, multi-stakeholder humanitarian operations. Coordinating demining teams, negotiating access with local authorities, procuring specialized equipment, and maintaining strict safety standards require sophisticated logistical and managerial capabilities. The project’s success reflects the institutional strength of KSrelief and its ability to deliver results in challenging environments. This operational expertise enhances Saudi Arabia’s standing as a reliable partner for international organizations and donor governments seeking to address humanitarian crises effectively.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does a demining project in Yemen connect to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030? At its core, Vision 2030 is about building a prosperous, secure, and globally engaged Kingdom. A stable and recovering Yemen is directly aligned with that objective. The Masam Project reflects the Vision’s emphasis on humanitarian leadership, international cooperation, and the use of Saudi resources and expertise to promote peace and development in the region. It also showcases the Kingdom’s commitment to responsible global citizenship, a key pillar of its foreign policy under Vision 2030.

Moreover, the project illustrates how Saudi Arabia is diversifying its international role beyond energy and trade. Through KSrelief, the Kingdom has become one of the world’s largest humanitarian donors, providing aid in Yemen, Syria, Sudan, and other crisis-affected regions. This humanitarian dimension of Saudi foreign policy complements its economic and diplomatic initiatives, presenting a comprehensive image of a nation that is both a global investor and a global benefactor. The UN official’s praise for the Masam Project is a testament to the effectiveness of this approach and a clear indication that Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian contributions are recognized and valued by the international community.

As Yemen continues its difficult path toward recovery, the work of the Masam Project will remain essential. Every landmine cleared, every field returned to farming, and every child taught to recognize danger represents a step toward a more stable and hopeful future. The recognition from the UN Special Envoy’s military adviser is not merely a diplomatic courtesy; it is an acknowledgment that Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts are saving lives and building the foundations for peace. In the years ahead, the Kingdom’s commitment to this mission — grounded in the principles of Vision 2030 and its enduring partnership with the United Nations — will continue to make a meaningful difference for the people of Yemen and for the security of the region.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Masam Project?

A1. The Masam Project is a humanitarian demining initiative launched by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in 2018 to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance from Yemeni territory, protecting civilians and restoring access to land and infrastructure.

Q2. Who is Antony Hayward?

A2. Antony Hayward is the military adviser to the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen. He visited the Masam Project headquarters in Marib and publicly commended the initiative for its work protecting civilians and securing Yemeni territory.

Q3. What did the UN official say about the Masam Project?

A3. He praised the project for protecting civilian lives and securing large areas of Yemeni territory despite the challenges posed by landmines. He also stressed the importance of continuing such humanitarian projects to achieve stability in Yemen.

Q4. Where is the Masam Project headquartered?

A4. The Masam Project headquarters is located in Marib, Yemen. Marib serves as a central coordination hub for demining operations across multiple governorates, making it strategically important for reaching affected communities.

Q5. When did the UN official visit the Masam headquarters?

A5. The visit took place in November 2024, according to the Saudi Press Agency. During the visit, the UN official received briefings on the project’s operations and met with teams working in contaminated areas.

Q6. Why is demining important in Yemen?

A6. Yemen is one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world. Clearing explosive hazards protects civilians, enables humanitarian access, allows displaced families to return home, and unlocks agricultural land and roads for economic recovery.

Q7. What challenges does the Masam Project face?

A7. The project operates in active conflict zones with difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, and persistent security risks. Landmines are often hidden in agricultural areas, roads, and residential neighborhoods, making detection and clearance dangerous and time-consuming.

Q8. How does the Masam Project protect civilians?

A8. The project locates and destroys landmines and unexploded ordnance, conducts risk education programs to teach communities how to avoid hazards, and provides medical and rehabilitation support to victims of landmine incidents.

Q9. What is KSrelief?

A9. KSrelief is the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, a Saudi government agency responsible for coordinating and delivering humanitarian assistance worldwide. It is one of the largest humanitarian donors in the region.

Q10. How does the Masam Project align with Vision 2030?

A10. The project reflects Vision 2030’s emphasis on humanitarian leadership, international cooperation, and global engagement. It showcases Saudi Arabia’s commitment to responsible global citizenship and its role as a stabilizing force in the region.

Q11. What is the economic impact of clearing landmines?

A11. Clearing landmines restores agricultural land, reopens roads for trade and humanitarian delivery, and allows markets and businesses to resume operations. These improvements contribute to Yemen’s long-term economic recovery and stability.

Q12. How does the international community view Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts?

A12. The UN official’s public commendation of the Masam Project demonstrates international recognition and trust in Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian role. It reinforces the Kingdom’s standing as a leading donor and responsible regional actor.

Q13. What types of explosives does the Masam Project clear?

A13. The project clears anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, and improvised explosive devices. These hazards are scattered across farmland, water sources, roads, and residential areas, posing ongoing risks to civilians.

Q14. How many people have been affected by landmines in Yemen?

A14. Thousands of civilians have been killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war in Yemen. Many victims are children. The exact number is difficult to determine due to limited reporting in conflict areas.

Q15. What role does the UN play in Yemen’s demining efforts?

A15. The United Nations coordinates humanitarian responses in Yemen, advocates for demining funding, and provides technical guidance. The UN Special Envoy’s office works with parties to facilitate access and support stabilization initiatives.

Q16. How can other countries support demining in Yemen?

A16. Other countries can provide funding, specialized equipment, training for demining teams, and diplomatic support for humanitarian access. International cooperation is essential to expanding the scope and impact of demining operations.

Q17. What happens to land after it is cleared?

A17. Once cleared, land can be returned to agricultural use, residential development, or infrastructure projects. Families displaced by conflict can return home, and communities can rebuild their livelihoods and local economies.

Q18. Is the Masam Project the only demining initiative in Yemen?

A18. No, several organizations work on demining in Yemen, but the Masam Project is one of the largest and most comprehensive. It combines clearance, risk education, and victim assistance under a single coordinated program.

Q19. What did the UN official emphasize about stability in Yemen?

A19. He stressed that continuing humanitarian projects like Masam is essential to achieving stability in Yemen and protecting civilians. Demining is a prerequisite for recovery, development, and the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.

Q20. What is the future outlook for the Masam Project?

A20. The Masam Project is expected to continue its operations as long as landmines pose a threat to Yemeni civilians. International recognition and support will be crucial for sustaining and expanding its life-saving work.

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