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When Rain Becomes a Harbinger of Fear
Since the outbreak of war in Yemen in 2015, many areas of Al-Jawf Governorate in northern Yemen have been battlegrounds for clashes between the internationally recognized government forces and the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group. During these confrontations, the Houthis planted large quantities of landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other explosive remnants of war in districts such as Al-Maton, Al-Maslub, Al-Ghayl, Al-Hazm, and Khab wa Ash-Sha'af.
Over time, the danger posed by these explosives has extended far beyond the initial conflict zones. Floodwaters frequently carry them into residential villages, grazing lands, farms, riverbanks, and flood pathways. As Al-Jawf serves as a drainage basin for floodwaters from the mountainous regions of Amran, Sana’a, and Saada governorates, these migrating landmines have become a pervasive and unpredictable threat.
These migrating landmines have become a significant threat to innocent civilians, including shepherds, farmers, and passersby, contaminating their lands and disrupting their livelihoods. The majority of residents in these areas rely on farming and herding for their income, making the presence of landmines a devastating blow to their lives and sources of income.
In Khab wa Ash-Sha'af District, a shepherd named Mubarak bin Nasser (45 years old) from the Reyan area inherited the profession of herding from his ancestors. He knows every inch of the valleys and mountains where he grazes his livestock.
One day, while leading his flock to graze in a pasture nourished by the rain, Mubarak was unaware of the man-made danger lurking ahead. Suddenly, a landmine exploded under one of his sheep, creating a loud bang and a cloud of dust. Fortunately, Mubarak was unharmed, but his pain was immeasurable. To him, his sheep were not just a source of income but part of his family.
The explosion in such an unexpected place sent waves of fear and anxiety among the local shepherds, farmers, and travelers in the area. They worried that they or their livestock might become victims of landmines, randomly transported by floodwaters to unpredictable locations.
The spread of landmines and explosive remnants in these areas has also become a major obstacle to farmers returning to their fields and villages. It poses a constant threat, restricting their movements and creating a sense of ongoing fear and anxiety. The unpredictable relocation of landmines by floods further exacerbates the issue, making it difficult to pinpoint their locations.
A farmer from Al-Maton District, Mohammed Abdullah Nasr, stated: "We are facing a major problem. Landmines and remnants of war pose a serious threat to our lives and our farms. The floodwaters have swept various types and sizes of mines and explosives into our fields. Some even reach residential areas and public roads due to the floods."
Nasr explained that since 2016, landmines in their areas have caused significant damage to farms due to clashes in agricultural zones. Farmers have been unable to access their fields, leading to drought, crop deterioration, and loss of harvests.
Farmers in Al-Jawf have repeatedly called on the Houthis to remove the mines planted in their fields following the group’s takeover of the governorate. However, the engineering teams affiliated with the Houthis, represented by the National Mine Action Center, have only partially cleared mines and remnants of war in a few contaminated areas. Many regions remain heavily contaminated.
Naji Al-Santeel, a local farmer, reported: "The landmines carried by floodwaters are scattered across many areas of Al-Maslub District. They come from contaminated regions such as Al-Hayja and Malaha in Al-Bayda. Floodwaters flow from western Al-Jawf through the Madhab Valley, passing through conflict zones in Al-Maton, Al-Maslub, and Al-Ghayl Districts, ultimately depositing the mines in populated areas, public roads, and farms in northern Al-Maslub, one of the most mine-contaminated districts in Al-Jawf."
Mwatana for Human Rights urges all parties to the conflict to immediately cease the use of all types of landmines and explosive devices and take serious steps to clear mine-contaminated areas. This includes regions where floods have displaced mines, to prevent further civilian casualties. Mwatana also calls on the international community to establish a criminal investigative mechanism to ensure accountability for violations and justice for the victims.
