Upheaval in Syria
Aid workers warn of many landmines in Syria
The end of ruler al-Assad in Syria has by no means made the country safer. Large areas are full of mines and explosive devices. A comprehensive clearance could take decades.
The British aid organization Halo Trust is calling for international efforts to clear the many landmines in Syria and make the country safer. “Returning Syrians simply don’t know where the landmines are lying and waiting. They are scattered across fields, villages and towns, leaving people at terrible risk,” said Halo Trust. There are currently “millions” of landmines and unexploded explosive devices as well as cluster munitions in Syria.
After 13 years of civil war, many areas of the country are still full of such weapons. They are a continuing threat to the people in the country as well as to hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees who could return after the overthrow of ruler Bashar al-Assad. According to some estimates, it could take decades to clear all mines and explosive devices.
Damian O’Brien, who led the Syria program at Halo Trust, said he had never seen anything like Syria. “Tens of thousands pass through heavily mined areas every day, resulting in unnecessary fatal accidents.”
dpa
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
