Syria launches mine clearance with backing from Türkiye
The mines laid by the ousted regime in civilian settlements are being cleared by the Syrian Ministry of Defence in Hama, Syria on April 10, 2025. (AA Photo)
In northern Hama province, Syrian demining units have launched a mine clearance operation targeting areas heavily contaminated by explosives planted by the former regime and PKK-linked terrorist groups.
Türkiye-backed operation underway to remove explosive remnants
The effort, supported logistically by Türkiye, is focused on the rural villages of al-Hamamiyet and Cilime. The operation, led by the 98th Armored Division of Syria’s Ministry of Defense, is expected to last three days.
Specialized teams are using mine detection tools and armored vehicles sent from Türkiye to assist in the effort. Some minefields are being cleared manually.
“Right now, we are operating in the Hamamiyet area. Our goal is to make these areas fully safe so people can return to their homes and villages without fear,” said Abdulkadir Nayif, a member of the clearance team.
“We identified many areas with a high concentration of mines laid by the former regime. Some are being cleared manually, and others with Türkiye-supplied vehicles,” he added.
Surge in civilian casualties linked to explosive ordnance
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)’s statement on 3 April, since December 8, 2024, Syria has experienced a sharp rise in injuries and deaths due to landmines and unexploded ordnance.
From that date through March 25, 2025, at least 748 casualties were reported—500 of them in 2025 alone.
The ongoing contamination is linked to the years-long civil conflict, with mines and abandoned explosive devices affecting both urban and rural areas.
Children collecting firewood, farmers working fields, and displaced civilians returning home have all fallen victim to hidden explosives.
Military strikes on weapons depots, the absence of structured mine action programs, and the economic desperation driving scrap metal collection have compounded the risks. Children account for nearly one-third of all casualties.
Broader mine action and international calls for support
On the International Day for Mine Awareness, humanitarian agencies, including the ICRC, highlighted the urgent need for expanded demining efforts in Syria.
In 2024 alone:
- 379,300 people joined SARC-led risk education sessions
- 130,000 received awareness materials
- 559 explosive devices were destroyed
- 93,500 people regained access to their homes
Efforts by the ICRC and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) also included surveying over 1.8 million square meters, of which more than 737,000 square meters were cleared.
“The ICRC and SARC remain committed to alleviating the suffering caused by explosive ordnance in Syria. But this work cannot be done alone. Governments, humanitarian donors, and international partners must increase their support for mine action to ensure that civilians can rebuild their lives in safety,” Stephan Sakalian, the head of the ICRC delegation in Syria, said.
“All mine action actors, including authorities in Syria, should embrace mine action organizations and work collectively towards the development of a National Mine Action Authority and in the formation of a National Mine Action Center,” he added.
“By working together, we can restore hope, rebuild communities, and help families move toward a future free from the hidden and durable dangers of war,” he concluded.
Civilians at risk and volunteer efforts
Multiple incidents across Syria demonstrate the dangers of mine contamination. Civilians, including children, have been injured or killed after unknowingly handling or approaching explosive devices.
According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW)’s report, farmers in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Daraa are unable to access land due to contamination.
In the absence of a national clearance infrastructure, some communities rely on volunteer teams with minimal training and equipment, resulting in further injuries and fatalities.
Recent reports by Human Rights Watch and INSO underline the scale of the crisis:
- “More than half of Syria’s population is at daily risk,” Human Rights Watch said.
- “Many communities face long-term harm beyond the threat of injury, including limited access to healthcare, education, and livelihoods,” the group added.
“For the first time in over a decade, there’s an opportunity to systematically tackle the extraordinary countrywide contamination in Syria by clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war,” said Richard Weir, senior crisis, conflict, and arms researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“Without urgent, nationwide clearance efforts, more civilians returning home to reclaim critical rights, lives, livelihoods, and land will be injured and killed,” he added.
