Return to Danger: Syrians Face Landmine Threat After Conflict Resurgence

As Syrians begin returning to their homes following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, many are confronted with a perilous reality: the lingering threat of landmines. One heart-wrenching story is that of Ayghad, who lost his father when their car hit a landmine while returning to their farmland in Idlib province. The area, once vibrant with olive trees, is now a designated minefield, preventing families like Ayghad’s from safely resuming their lives.

Since the regime's fall in December, the Halo Trust reports that at least 144 people, including 27 children, have died from landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). Many victims were farmers attempting to reclaim their land. The White Helmets, a civil defense group, have identified and cordoned off around 117 minefields, but their efforts are hampered by a lack of coordination among various organizations working to clear these dangerous remnants of war.

Hassan Talfah, who leads the White Helmets’ UXO clearance team, emphasizes the heightened risk around former battle lines, where most casualties occur. Tens of thousands of devices remain buried, largely unaccounted for, putting civilians, especially children, at grave risk.

International organizations like the Halo Trust advocate for an extensive survey to estimate the contamination levels and the necessary destruction of devices to ensure safe living environments for returning families. Talfah’s personal mission to clear these dangers is fueled by his own loss—he lost a leg while working to clear a cluster bomb.

As humanitarian efforts continue, experts stress the importance of coordinated action and increased funding to protect lives in post-conflict Syria.