The National Committee for Demining discusses efforts to save the lives of citizens from the effects of mines

June 6th, the National Committee for Demining held its first meeting to discuss the national efforts undertaken by the Syrian government to save the lives of citizens from the dangerous effects of mines and explosive ordnance left by armed terrorist groups in the areas where they spread during the years of the crisis in Syria.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Faisal Miqdad headed the meeting which aims to enable the displaced to return to their areas and lands to practice their normal lives without any threats to their lives.

During the meeting, minister Miqdad stressed that the main credit for the efforts exerted to clear the contaminated areas belongs to the officers and members of the Syrian Arab Army and the armed forces who sacrificed their lives to save the lives of Syrians.

Minister Miqdad said that the great work done by the army in this field exceeded expectations, taking into account the accompanying circumstances and the available possibility by removing more than 50,000 explosive devices, 84,000 unexploded shells, and 45,000 assorted mines, and clearing more than 55,000 hectares of the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic of mines and explosive ordnance.

Minister Miqdad stated that the Syrian government continues to make unremitting efforts to survey the areas contaminated with mines in preparation for its clearance and to enable the residents to return to their areas, homes and work.

In turn, the members of the National Committee stressed that this work requires coordination between all governmental and national agencies in cooperation with the relevant international bodies, including with the United Nations Demining Office, to develop clear and effective strategies to reduce the effects of the crimes committed by terrorist organizations against the civilian population, especially children and women.

O. al-Mohammad