Three months since the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, the UN reports that more than one million Syrians have returned to their homes. But they have found their land and houses littered with the deadly debris of war – landmines, bombs, and rockets.
The HALO Trust, the largest civilian landmine clearance organisation in the world, warned that the situation called for a massive international demining effort and explosives training for construction workers so they can recognise the signs of danger.
Damian O’Brien, HALO’s Programme Manager for Syria, said:
“People are being killed or maimed regularly. Just a few days ago a flock of sheep wandered into a minefield. One of the animals triggered a device – some were killed and the shepherd tending his flock was seriously injured.
Children are being killed when they pick up grenades. Family groups, often together for the first time in years to celebrate Ramadan, are dying in their former homes. It’s carnage.”
HALO said that over 640 men, women and children have been killed or injured in explosives accidents since the Assad regime fell. The charity is safely destroying landmines and other munitions as fast as it can, but it currently only has a small team of some 40 deminers working in the northwest of the country.
HALO plans to expand its work at least ten-fold to cover Syria nationwide, in an operation that would cost $40 million a year.
HALO explosive ordnance disposal team on a call-out
