Blast kills 5 demining experts in Yemen

An explosion killed five demining specialists in war-torn Yemen’s central province of Maarib on Sunday, security and medical sources said. A pro-government security official, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the five were foreign experts working on the Saudi-backed Masam landmine clearance project.

AFP could not independently confirm which countries they came from.

The official said the blast occurred as landmines were being transported to be destroyed. A medic at a Maarib hospital confirmed five bodies were brought to the hospital, adding that a number of other people were injured in the incident. Al Houthi militia has been accused of the widespread and indiscriminate use of landmines.

Meanwhile, the coalition launched several air strikes on Yemen’s Al Houthi-held capital Sana’a overnight, after a string of Al Houthi violations of a ceasefire deal reached in Sweden in December.

AFP.