Mine awareness event in Deir ez-Zor highlights urgent need for action
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Authorities of the Syrian transitional government held on Tuesday an awareness event to mark the International Day for Mine Awareness in the city of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.
Najla al-Naif, head of the Syrian Commission for Family and Population Affairs in Deir ez-Zor, told North Press that the initiative aimed to “raising awareness about the dangers posed by landmines and remnants of war in Syria, particularly in Deir ez-Zor.”
“We suffer greatly from the widespread presence of mines,” al-Naif added. “The issue is complex and requires coordinated efforts at the local, regional, international, and humanitarian levels to provide both logistical support and professionally trained personnel.”
Landmines are widespread in eastern Syria, particularly around positions held by Iranian-backed militias. Dozens of civilians have been killed or injured, while both local and international responses remain limited.
“This is fundamentally a humanitarian issue, with thousands of victims affected daily and monthly throughout the year. The number of casualties continues to rise across all regions and governorates of Syria,” al-Naif stressed
She called for urgent, coordinated action—locally and globally—to combat the threat and protect civilians.
On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch released a report stating that landmines and other explosive remnants of war have killed or injured over 600 people in Syria since December 2024.