Over 9,000 Yemeni Civilians Killed or Injured by Houthi Landmines Since 2014

A staggering 9,584 civilians in Yemen have been killed or injured by landmines since 2014, according to data released by the Masam demining initiative. The group attributes the explosives to Houthis, whom it describes as “terrorist militias,” citing their alleged role in indiscriminate mine-laying since the outbreak of Yemen’s conflict.

Masam’s report, covering casualties from 2014 through December 2024, documents 4,501 fatalities and 5,083 injuries. The center warns that landmines continue to pose a severe threat to communities, particularly in conflict-affected provinces.

Hardest-Hit Regions

    Taiz Governorate suffered the highest death toll (964 killed) and injury count (1,321), underscoring its status as a prolonged frontline in the war.

    Hodeidah, a critical port region, recorded 835 deaths and 586 injuries.

    Al-Jawf and Marib (a key displacement hub) saw 505 and 400 deaths, respectively, with hundreds more wounded.

    Al-Baydha reported 409 fatalities and 330 injuries.


Since its launch in June 2018, the Saudi-backed Masam project claims to have cleared 481,776 hazardous items—including anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, and unexploded ordnance—from over 65 million square meters of land. Key figures include:

    6,726 anti-personnel mines

    146,090 anti-tank mines

    320,766 unexploded remnants of war

Despite these efforts, Masam emphasizes that millions of mines remain buried, disproportionately endangering children, farmers, and displaced populations.

The report urges increased international funding for demining operations and victim rehabilitation, accusing Houthi forces of violating international law by targeting civilian areas. It appeals for political pressure to halt further mine-laying, branding the crisis a “long-term humanitarian disaster.”