New York Times: The Deadly Legacy of the Assad Regime… Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance

New York Times confirmed that the deadly legacy of the former Assad regime continues, with landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) exploding across Syria, particularly in Idlib province.

In a report published on its website, the newspaper noted that landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) continue to pose a daily threat to the lives of civilians in northwestern Syria, particularly in Idlib.

Most of the victims of these explosives are children and adolescents, in addition to the challenges facing demining teams in the region.

The newspaper indicated that Syria ranked second in the world last year in the number of mine victims.

The HALO charity, which removes landmines and tracks their use and the resulting injuries, estimates that approximately 340 people have been killed and 500 injured by these UXO explosions since the fall of the former regime.

HALO explained that unexploded ordnance poses the greatest threat to adolescents, who are often responsible for clearing fields, collecting scrap, and moving rubble. Children are particularly at risk when playing outdoors

In this regard, Nicholas Torbett, HALO’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East, said “Some of these explosives are characterized by bright colors, shiny pieces, and eye-catching shapes, which naturally attract children.”

Hanan Shamout