Syria’s Minefields: A Deadly Obstacle to Reconstruction

Syrian Shepherds Risk Lives Demining Fields Amidst Unexploded Ordnance Scourge

DEIR EZ-ZOR PROVINCE, SYRIA – In the ravaged landscapes of Deir ez-Zor, a grim reality unfolds daily as shepherds and local communities are forced to confront the lethal legacy of unexploded ordnance. With official demining efforts lagging, residents are taking their own desperate measures to clear the fields, often at the cost of their lives, limbs, and eyesight.

Mohammed al-Aleyy, a shepherd from the region, articulates the pervasive fear: “I am scared for everyone else, for myself. This is not a one-off incident. It is a daily occurrence. We can’t handle it. If we stay here, we are at risk. If we move to the [semi-desert] Badia region, we face the same.” His words echo the sentiment of a community trapped by the constant threat of hidden dangers.The stories shared among mourners paint a stark picture of heroism and tragedy. A father of five is lauded for his sacrifice, stepping on a mine to delay its detonation, allowing his companions to escape. Another, a self-made deminer driven by the loss of his parents to land mines, met his end while bravely clearing the lethal debris.

Saleh al-Muheimer, displaying grim evidence on his phone, describes the sheer volume of the threat: “These mines are all over the place like flies. Some are clear to the eyes. Others are hidden. The challenge is networked mines and double-decker mines – when you pull on one, the others explode.”

Facing overwhelming odds and lacking proper equipment, communities like al-Muheimer’s have resorted to rudimentary methods, clearing an estimated 1,200 items of unexploded ordnance with little more than their bare hands and shovels in a 10 km area of the Badia region. As fatalities and injuries mounted, these self-led efforts evolved into a critical safety measure: demarcating perilous areas with piles of stones and wires to prevent unsuspecting passersby from falling victim.

“We are demining the area with our bodies and our lives,” states Jassem Mohammed al-Ali, another shepherd. “If the international community takes no action on this, we will lose the entire community. The Syrian regime and Iran planted mines like potatoes.”

Evergreen Insights:

The harrowing situation in Deir ez-zor highlights a persistent global challenge: the enduring danger posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance, especially in conflict-affected regions. This crisis underscores several critical points that remain relevant nonetheless of the specific conflict:

The Scars of Conflict Linger: Even after active fighting ceases, the remnants of war, such as mines and unexploded ordnance, continue to claim lives and impede progress for decades. This necessitates long-term, sustained attention and resource allocation for clearance and risk education.
Community Resilience and Burden: In the absence of adequate international intervention,local communities often bear the brunt of demining efforts,demonstrating immense resilience but also facing unacceptable risks. This highlights the importance of empowering and supporting these grassroots initiatives with proper training and equipment.
The Human Cost of Neglect: The stories of Mohammed al-Aleyy, Saleh al-Muheimer, and Jassem Mohammed al-Ali serve as poignant reminders of the profound human cost of unexploded ordnance. Each casualty represents a shattered family and a community struggling to rebuild amidst constant fear.
The Need for Comprehensive Solutions: Effective demining requires more than just physical clearance. It necessitates robust risk education programs for affected populations, socioeconomic reintegration support for victims, and strong political will from all stakeholders to address the root causes and facilitate comprehensive solutions.* Global Responsibility: The international community has a shared responsibility to assist nations grappling with the devastating impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance. Sustained funding, technological advancements in demining, and political pressure on responsible parties are crucial to mitigating this ongoing humanitarian crisis.

What are the primary sources contributing to landmine and explosive ordnance contamination in Syria?

The Scale of the Problem: Landmines in Syria

Syria is facing a catastrophic landmine and explosive ordnance (EO) contamination crisis, a direct result of its prolonged civil war. Years of intense conflict have transformed vast swathes of the country into deadly landscapes, hindering not only immediate safety but also long-term reconstruction and the return of displaced populations.The situation is arguably one of the worst global mine crises currently, exceeding even those seen in post-conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan in terms of widespread contamination.

Contamination Sources: The primary sources of landmines and EO include:

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) laid by various armed groups.

Anti-personnel mines deployed by state and non-state actors.

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) – shells, mortars, grenades – from indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes.

Booby traps placed in homes, schools, and infrastructure.

Geographic Distribution: While contamination is nationwide,certain areas are particularly affected:

Former front lines,especially around cities like Aleppo,Idlib,and deir ez-Zor.

Agricultural lands, impacting food security and livelihoods.

Areas previously held by ISIS, known for their extensive use of IEDs.

Roads and infrastructure critical for reconstruction efforts.

Impact on Civilian Populations: A Humanitarian Crisis

The presence of landmines and UXO poses a severe threat to the safety and well-being of Syrian civilians. The human cost is staggering, with casualties occurring daily.

Casualty Rates: According to Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), Syria consistently ranks among the countries with the highest number of civilian casualties from landmines and UXO. The majority of victims are civilians, including children, who often mistake these devices for toys.

Displacement & Return: Mine contamination prevents internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees from returning to their homes and rebuilding their lives. The fear of encountering landmines creates a climate of insecurity and discourages resettlement.

Economic Impact: Agricultural land rendered unusable due to mines directly impacts food production and rural livelihoods. Reconstruction projects are delayed or halted due to the risk of encountering explosive hazards. This exacerbates poverty and economic hardship.

Psychological Trauma: Living in fear of landmines creates widespread psychological trauma within communities, impacting mental health and social cohesion.

Demining Efforts: Challenges and Organizations Involved

Despite the immense challenges, demining operations are underway in Syria, led by a combination of international organizations, local NGOs, and, to a limited extent, the Syrian government.However, progress is slow and hampered by ongoing security concerns and limited funding.

Key Organizations:

Syrian Mine Action Center (SMAC): The Syrian government’s primary demining agency, though its effectiveness is limited by resources and access restrictions.

Mines advisory Group (MAG): An international NGO specializing in landmine clearance and risk education.

Halo Trust: Another leading international NGO involved in demining operations in Syria.

Danish Demining Group (DDG): Focuses on clearance, risk education, and support to survivors.

Demining Techniques:

Manual Demining: The most time-consuming and dangerous method, involving trained personnel carefully searching for and removing mines by hand.

Mechanical Demining: Utilizing armored vehicles equipped with flails or tillers to detonate or excavate mines.

Mine Detection dogs (MDD): Highly effective in locating landmines and UXO, particularly in complex terrain.

Remote Sensing: Utilizing technologies like drones and satellite imagery to identify potential minefields.

Challenges to Demining:

Ongoing Conflict: Active fighting and insecurity hinder access to contaminated areas.

Funding Shortages: Demining is a costly process, and funding consistently falls short of the required amount.

Complex Contamination: The diverse range of explosive hazards and the widespread nature of contamination make clearance efforts extremely challenging.

Political Obstacles: access restrictions imposed by various parties to the conflict impede demining operations.

Risk Education and Victim Assistance: Protecting Communities

Alongside demining, risk education is crucial to prevent casualties. Providing communities with facts about the dangers of landmines and UXO, and how to identify and avoid them, is essential. Equally important is providing support to landmine survivors, including medical care, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support.

Risk Education Programs: These programs target vulnerable populations, including children, farmers, and IDPs, and are delivered through various channels, such as community meetings, school workshops, and radio broadcasts.

Survivor Assistance: Providing comprehensive support to landmine survivors is critical for their reintegration into society. This includes:

Medical Care: Emergency treatment, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation.

Prosthetics and Orthotics: Providing artificial limbs and assistive devices.

Psychosocial Support: addressing the psychological trauma associated with landmine injuries.

* Economic Empowerment: Providing vocational training and livelihood support.

the Future of Syria: Reconstruction and a mine-Free Nation

Achieving a mine-free Syria is a long-term undertaking that requires sustained commitment from the