Despite the official end of the military operations in Syria following the fall of the ousted regime after more than 14 years of conflict, the dangers of war remain embedded in daily life. Unexploded ordnance and remnants of battles are scattered across residential neighbourhoods, posing an ongoing and lethal threat to the lives of millions of civilians.
Just days ago, a devastating explosion rocked the city of Latakia on the Syrian coast. A rocket left behind from the war detonated inside a scarp metal store located on the ground floor of a four-storey building. The explosion caused the entire structure to collapse, killing and injuring 34 people, including women and children.
In February, The United Nations announced that since the fall of the ousted regime, 138 mine-contaminated areas had been identified across Idlib, Aleppo, Hama, Deir ez-Zor and Latakia. Additionally, 1.400 unexploded ordnance had been neutralized in various Syrian areas.
The Greatest Risk
Mohammed Sami al-Muhammad, coordinator of the Syrian Civil Defence’s War Remnants Removal Program (White Helmets), warned that all regions in Syria are contaminated with remnants of war. Still, the most heavily contaminated areas are those that experienced intense battles, airstrikes, clashes and bombardments.
“Since November 26, 2024, until January 2025, the Syrian Civil Defence conducted 744 clearance operations, disposing of 1.236 unexploded ordnance,” al-Mohammad told +963. “Additionally, 136 minefields and hazardous areas containing anti-tank and anti-personnel mines were identified across Idlib, Aleppo, Hama, Deir ez Zor and Latakia.”
In parallel with demining operations, Syrian Civil Defence teams have conducted 357 hands-on training sessions to educate displaced civilians before their return to the affected areas. Survey teams have also identified 176 confirmed hazardous zones.
Between November 27, 2024, and February 17, 2025, at least 57 civilians, including 8 children and women, were killed, and 100 others, among them 36 children, were severely injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance across various provinces. However, al-Mohammed emphasized that the Civil Defence teams are currently limited to clearing unexploded ordnance from bombardment remains and are not yet engaged in mine clearance operations.
The White Helmets’ Unexploded ordnance (UXO) teams have been working since 2016 and have disposed of more than 25.000 pieces of assorted munitions despite extremely hazardous conditions. Four of their members have lost their lives in the line of their duty.
The presence of mines and unexploded ordnance continues to exact a heavy toll, causing deaths, severe injuries, and permanent disabilities. The widespread contamination also hinders displaced residents from returning home, obstructs reconstruction and development projects, and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. Moreover, entire communities are deprived of essential resources such as water and agricultural land, further compounding fear and instability and leading to continued internal displacement.
Plans and Priorities
Retired Brigadier General Rizk al-Khawalda, a military and strategic analyst, underscored the urgency of prioritizing demining efforts in the most high-risk areas that directly threaten civilian lives. “It is essential to engage with all segments of Syrian society and military officials from the ousted regime to obtain comprehensive maps marking minefields,” he told +963.
Al-Khawalda also advocated for the implementation of national programs to manage unexploded ordnance, raise public awareness, and strengthen cooperation with international organizations and the United Nations to facilitate large-scale demining operations.
Ali al-Saleh, a resident of Jabal al-Zawiya in rural Idlib, shared the fears of many Syrians living in former battle zones. “We are afraid to move or farm our land because of the hidden explosives,” he said. “My cousin was killed while working in the fields, and my brother was seriously injured. We have no way of knowing where mines are until they explode.”
Al-Saleh also highlighted the alarming practice of individuals collecting and selling unexploded ordnance as scrap metal, a dangerous activity that puts entire communities at risk.
Quotation
“Millions of Syrians live in vast areas contaminated with unexploded ordnance and landmines, facing a persistent and long-term threat to their safety.”
