The engineering teams of the Saudi Project for Landmines Clearance in Yemen (MASAM), launched by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), cleared 2,855 landmines in January. MASAM Program Manager Osama al-Gosaibi said that the teams cleared 2,855 landmines, unexploded ordnance, and explosive devices. In the second week of January, MASAM removed 1,187 landmines, while in the past week, it cleared 789 unexploded ordnance and 17 explosive devices, Gosaibi added. He added that during the same week, the teams removed 367 anti-tank mines and 17 anti-personnel mines. Gosaibi continued that MASAM demined a total of 123,000 explosives since launching the project until Jan. 9. Meanwhile, a total of 44 insurgents were killed in battles against the Yemeni Joint Forces in the past two days, south of Hodeidah. The Yemeni army announced on Saturday that it liberated new regions in Qatabah. The army's official website September Net said that it managed to advance in Habil Al Abdi and several nearby sites (in the north of al-Fakher). A source reported to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that clashes escalated between the army and insurgents in Fakher by which both parties used various weapons – the clashes extended to more than one battlefront near Hamak (in the west of Qatabah), he added. Moreover, the engineering teams from the joint forces revealed that they demined a minefield and explosive devices planted by Houthis in al-Manzar (in the east of Hodeidah airport). Further, Yemeni Defense Minister Mohammed al-Maqdashi reiterated the military institution's commitment to its constitutional and legal duties in resuming the liberation, defeating the Houthi militia and combating extremist and terrorist groups. Maqdashi stressed the importance of exhausting the training and rehabilitation efforts as well as intensifying programs and activities of new joiners to prepare them to perform their tasks in various fields. His statement was made Saturday as he visited Al-Istikbal camp and Annasr Training Camp in Marib. The Defense Minister commended the efforts and stances of Saudi Arabia and its support to the Yemeni people and armed forces.