No Safe Zone in Syria
World
Landmines left behind by the Assad regime in Syria have claimed the lives of hundreds. More than 200 people, including women and children, have been killed by hidden landmines in the three months following the fall of the Assad regime. Explosives experts warn that "there is no safe zone in Syria."
Approximately 1.2 million people, displaced by the country’s brutal civil war, are now returning to their former homes, leading to a rise in casualties as they unknowingly step on landmines.
Across the country, including major cities and rural areas, thousands of landmines, unexploded shells, and ordnance remain scattered due to 14 years of military operations and bombings. Many families returning home are accidentally triggering these explosives and losing their lives.
Children are particularly vulnerable, often mistaking unexploded ordnance for toys and becoming victims. According to the world’s largest landmine clearance charity, the Halo Trust, 640 people have so far been killed or injured. A previous UN report found that one-third of the victims were children.
Mohammed Sami Al Mohammed, the coordinator of the demining program for the Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, stated:
"We cannot say that any area in Syria is free from the remnants of war. There are countries where wars ended 40 years ago, yet they are still struggling with landmine threats. The disaster in Syria is far worse than what happened elsewhere."
Volunteers are working to clear landmines and ensure people can safely return to their homes, but some have lost their own lives in the process.
One deminer described the tragic reality of his profession and the dire conditions for Syrian civilians:
"There are countries where wars ended 40 years ago, yet they are still unable to eliminate landmine threats completely. The catastrophe in Syria is far worse than in other places."
Across the country, including major cities and rural areas, thousands of landmines, unexploded shells, and ordnance remain scattered due to 14 years of military operations and bombings. Many families returning home are accidentally triggering these explosives and losing their lives.
Children are particularly vulnerable, often mistaking unexploded ordnance for toys and becoming victims. According to the world’s largest landmine clearance charity, the Halo Trust, 640 people have so far been killed or injured. A previous UN report found that one-third of the victims were children.
Mohammed Sami Al Mohammed, the coordinator of the demining program for the Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, stated:
"We cannot say that any area in Syria is free from the remnants of war. There are countries where wars ended 40 years ago, yet they are still struggling with landmine threats. The disaster in Syria is far worse than what happened elsewhere."
Volunteers are working to clear landmines and ensure people can safely return to their homes, but some have lost their own lives in the process.
One deminer described the tragic reality of his profession and the dire conditions for Syrian civilians:
"There are countries where wars ended 40 years ago, yet they are still unable to eliminate landmine threats completely. The catastrophe in Syria is far worse than in other places."
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