Mine clearance continues before IDPs return to Hasakah countryside
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Mine clearance operations around the countryside of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) in northeastern Syria and on roads leading to the city are continuing as preparations advance for the return of a new group of displaced families later this week, a local demining official said on Sunday.
Agid Najjar, head of the Assessment and Follow-up Department at Hasakah’s National Mine Action Office, told North Press that the area still requires additional work before it can be declared completely safe.
Najjar said the demining project began about six weeks ago following coordination with authorities overseeing the return process. The operation involves the National Mine Action Office, the Internal Security Forces and relevant military authorities.
He said the project is currently in its first phase, focusing on securing the main roads leading to Sere Kaniye and nearby villages. Three organizations are taking part in the operation, including two international organizations and one local organization.
Najjar said teams are working on three main routes: the Sere Kaniye-Tel Tamr road via Umm al-Keif village, the al-Asadiyah road in the Abu Rasin countryside, and the M4 highway.
He said clearance work on the al-Asadiyah route is nearly complete after more than 200,000 square meters were surveyed and cleared, while teams have cleared nearly 3 kilometers along the Umm al-Keif route. Work on a third route near al-Dardara village in the Tel Tamr countryside is expected to begin officially in the coming days.
Najjar said the office receives regular reports from demining organizations after each village or sector is cleared, verifies the findings and submits them to the authorities responsible for the return of displaced people so that safe areas can be formally approved.
He said the office cannot specify when mine clearance will be completed or when the entire area will be ready for the return of all displaced residents.
He added that the decision on returns rests with the relevant authorities, while their role is limited to conducting surveys, removing mines and submitting technical reports on the areas that have been cleared.
On Saturday, Mahmoud Jamil, spokesperson for the Sere Kaniye Displaced Committee, told North Press that 500 families are expected to return to their homes and farmland by the end of this week.
Najjar said that “the area contains many types of mines and unexploded ordnance. These include mortar shells, artillery shells, rockets, anti-tank mines, vehicle mines, and anti-personnel mines.”
“One notable finding is the presence of a significant number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs),” he added.
He urged displaced residents not to return individually or without authorization, and to follow instructions issued by the relevant authorities.
He also warned residents not to approach, move or tamper with suspicious objects and to report them immediately to the competent authorities.