Landmines planted by Houthi militias in Yemen continue to spread panic among the war-torn country’s citizens, especially that the Iran-backed group focused its usage of the explosives to civilian areas.

“The number of victims of Houthi-planted landmines exceeds 3,400, with the number of deaths going over 2,700, including 148 women, 279 children, and the number of injuries at 700, a large number of whom are children,” Yemeni Human Rights Minister Mohamad Askar told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Speaking from Geneva, where the United Nations Human Rights Council is holding sessions, Askar reaffirmed that Houthis continue to destabilize Yemen’s national security and intimidate civilians across a number of cities.

Ottawa Treaty, according to Askar, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-Personnel mines. Houthis are constantly violating the convention.

Stressing that Houthi terrorists did not observe any agreements or laws, the minister accused the Iran-aligned group of turning villages and cities into minefields, whereby infrastructure, farms, populated areas and even civilian homes have been laced with landmines.

Houthis have also used naval mines in fishing farms and areas.

Askar underlined that the Houthis’ unwarranted use of landmines has killed and severely injured civilians. Many have lost a limb to Houthi mines.

“Between September 21, 2014, and May 31, 2019, the total number of mine casualties was 2,792, including 148 women and 379 children,” Askar noted.

“More so, there were 297 women and 417 children injured,” he added in reference to the same period.

Chair of the UN NGO Committee Astrid Stuckelberger, for her part, said that Yemeni citizens have become prisoners to their homes because of landmines.

Stuckelberger, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, reaffirmed that the Houthi practice of mine-laying goes against international conventions.