By Omar Abdurrahman
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Deir ez-Zor Governorate in eastern Syria is one of the regions most affected by the armed conflict that has ravaged the country since 2011. Military operations and clashes have led to the widespread presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance, posing a serious threat to civilians, especially children.
Deir ez-Zor has witnessed fierce battles between various armed factions, resulting in the use of landmines and unexploded munitions, making it one of the most dangerous areas.
Constant Fear
Ahmed al-Shahin, a 39-year-old resident of Deir ez-Zor, told North Press, “Landmines have become part of our daily lives. Whenever children go out to play or even help with farming, they live in constant fear.”
He added, “I lost one of my friends to a landmine explosion near the agricultural fields.” He pointed out the lack of sufficient awareness campaigns, saying that children do not recognize what landmines are and often mistake them for toys. “There must be more efforts to educate the community,” he stressed.
He renewed his plea to save lives, stating that they have been unable to get help. “We have cried out for rescue from these explosive devices, but to no avail,” he said.
Sarah al-Ali, a human rights activist from Deir ez-Zor, told North Press, “Children are the most affected by landmine risks. We see daily cases of children getting injured or even killed by landmines. This is tragic, and urgent action is needed to protect them.”
She added, “We work to raise awareness among the local community about the dangers of landmines and provide support to victims and their families in collaboration with humanitarian organizations. We strive to offer necessary assistance, implement demining programs, and provide psychological support to victims.”
She emphasized that they are working on providing educational materials for schools and community centers, stressing the urgent need for greater cooperation between local and international organizations. “We must work together to create a safe environment for children,” she said.
Lack of modern technology
Badr al-Khudeir, a landmine engineering specialist with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stated, “Difficult terrain and ongoing conflict hinder our efforts, in addition to a shortage of resources, adequate training, and the need for greater international support.”
He added, “There are modern technologies, such as drones, that help detect landmines, but we need more funding to implement these technologies.”
Rising casualties
Mohammed al-Sultan, a member of the Health Committee of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in Deir ez-Zor, said that “since the beginning of 2025, 38 landmine explosions have occurred in Deir ez-Zor, most of them in the eastern countryside, particularly in the seven villages.”
He added that these incidents have resulted in the injury and death of 50 children, with 19 losing their lives, most of them children.
Additionally, there have been at least 40 other injuries among people of different age groups, with fatalities accounting for 30 percent of the cases.
He noted that the affected children’s ages range between five and fifteen years, highlighting that school-age children are the most at risk.
Landmine explosions pose a significant threat to children’s lives in Deir ez-Zor. Activists stress the need to intensify local and international efforts to protect these children and secure a safer future for them.
Collective action and cooperation among all concerned parties could significantly reduce risks and improve living conditions for children affected by the conflict.