Child killed, another injured in two landmine blasts in Deir ez-Zor

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A child lost his life and another was injured on Thursday in two separate landmine explosions in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, eastern Syria.

A local source from the town of Hajin in eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside told North Press that a landmine, a remnant of war, exploded as child Suleiman al-Aziz, 11, was tampering with it and attempting to dismantle it on the outskirts of the Hajin countryside, causing his immediate death.

In a separate incident, another landmine exploded near child Qassem Mohammed al-Obaid while he was wandering near a former location of Iranian-backed factions in the town of Khusham in eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside, the source added. The explosion resulted in moderate injuries to the child.

The widespread presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance in areas formerly controlled by the Islamic State (ISIS) and other factions continues to pose a lethal threat to local communities in the region.

By Atoun Jan