Syrians Returning Home Face the Deadly Threat of Landmines
As the conflict in Syria slowly begins to subside, returning residents are met with a daunting reality: the persistent threat of landmines. The war-torn country has been littered with millions of unexploded ordnance, including landmines, cluster bombs, and other explosives, leaving a legacy of destruction and danger for those attempting to rebuild their lives.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 3.5 million people in Syria, including 1.3 million children, have returned to their homes in the wake of the conflict. However, this homecoming is often met with trepidation, as the mere act of setting foot outside their front doors poses a significant risk of injury or even death.
Landmines, in particular, have become a silent yet deadly threat. These indiscriminate weapons, designed to injure or kill, have been scattered throughout the conflict zones, contaminating areas once safe for civilians to live and work. The indiscriminate nature of landmines means that anyone who crosses a suspected minefield, whether a child playing in the rubble or a farmer tending to his fields, is at risk of encountering a deadly blast.
The Syrian Red Crescent Society estimates that over 70,000 people have been injured or killed by landmines since the conflict began, with children making up a disproportionate percentage of the victims. "We have seen many people, including children, lose their limbs and even their lives due to the deadly threat of landmines," said Dr. Ali Al-Zarei, a nurse at a local hospital in Aleppo. "It’s unacceptable that in the 21st century, we still see such devastating consequences of war."
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) estimates that over 47,000 minefields were created during the conflict, with the majority located in rural areas. These minefields are often impossible to identify, making it difficult for residents to determine whether an area is safe or not.
In response to the crisis, organizations such as the ICRC, UNHCR, and the Syrian Red Crescent Society are working to clear mines and provide aid to those affected. The Syrian government has also launched its own demining efforts, although the effectiveness of these efforts is hindered by the ongoing conflict and lack of resources.
In the meantime, communities are being left to pick up the pieces, literally and figuratively. "I lost my cousin to a mine two years ago," said Akram, a resident of a small town in northern Syria. "Now, my family is too afraid to venture out of our compound. We live in fear of stepping on a mine."
As Syria begins to rebuild, the threat of landmines remains a pressing concern. It is crucial that the international community continues to provide support and resources to organizations working to clear mines and care for those affected. Only then can Syrians feel safe returning home, free from the fear of explosive danger lurking beneath their feet.
Recommendations:
- The international community must continue to provide financial and logistical support to organizations working to clear mines and care for those affected.
- The Syrian government must prioritize demining efforts, prioritizing populated areas and critical infrastructure.
- The UN and international organizations should work to create awareness campaigns, educating returning residents on the dangers of landmines and how to recognize potential minefields.
- The Syrian Red Crescent Society and other humanitarian organizations should establish clear protocols for providing medical care and support to those injured by landmines.
By supporting these efforts, we can help ensure that those returning to their homes in Syria are met with safety and stability, rather than the deadly threat of landmines.
