More than 200 returning refugees have died from landmines in Syria since Assad’s regime collapsed. Experts caution that the cleanup of dangerous remnants left after fourteen years of war could take decades. An important conference in Brussels aims to address the humanitarian crisis, with renewed international involvement following the regime change.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, over 200 returning refugees, including many women and children, have tragically lost their lives due to landmine explosions in Syria. This grim statistic arises amid a wave of approximately 1.2 million displaced Syrians attempting to return home after fourteen years of civil war, during which numerous landmines and unexploded munitions were left behind across urban and rural areas.
Bomb disposal experts have declared that, currently, “there is no safe area in Syria.” The Halo Trust, an organization dedicated to clearing landmines, reported that 640 individuals have either been killed or injured by remnants of war. According to a United Nations report, one-third of the victims are children, often mistaking the deadly remnants for toys. Mohammad Sami al-Mohammad, a bomb disposal expert associated with the White Helmets, stated that the cleanup process for landmines could take decades.
Despite efforts from volunteers assisting returning residents in demining efforts, casualties among these individuals remain a constant threat. In order to address the ongoing humanitarian crises in Syria, there is an upcoming annual fundraising conference in Brussels. This conference, organized by the European Union since 2017, has historically excluded the representation of the Syrian regime but will now welcome a delegate from the transitional government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Ministers and representatives from various Western countries, Arab states, and UN agencies are expected to attend. Previously, donations from participating countries were directed exclusively to the UN and aid organizations without contact with the Syrian regime. However, in the aftermath of Assad’s regime, there is cautious optimism that Syria can stabilize. This conference follows concerning civil unrest and violence in Syria’s coastal regions involving the Alawite minority, highlighting the critical needs and challenges that persist for the nation and its people.
The situation in Syria remains perilous as many returning refugees continue to face the deadly threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance. With thousands of these dangerous remnants still scattered across the country, experts warn that decades of work will be necessary to clear them. As humanitarian efforts unfold under the backdrop of ongoing violence, the upcoming conference in Brussels signifies a pivotal moment in addressing Syria’s crises and helping the affected population reclaim their lives.
Original Source: www.ynetnews.com
