Mine clearance teams begin fieldwork ahead of reopening Ras al-Ain road
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Field teams from a specialized mine clearance organization began preliminary survey operations along the road linking Tel Tamr town and Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) city in Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria, in preparation for a broader demining campaign aimed at reopening the route to civilian traffic, a source working with the organization told North Press on Thursday.
The source said the teams have been divided into several groups and have started conducting field assessments to identify priority areas and determine the main starting points for the operation.
According to the source, the mine clearance campaign is scheduled to be officially launched on June 14 following the completion of site evaluations and the designation of high-risk locations requiring immediate attention.
“The teams have begun field inspections and technical assessments as part of preparations for the removal operation,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The demining effort will be carried out across several axes, with the Tel Tamr–Ras al-Ain road among the first areas targeted under a plan designed to rehabilitate and safely reopen the route for civilian movement, the source added.
The road has remained affected by the presence of landmines and explosive remnants of war left behind by years of conflict, posing ongoing risks to residents, travelers and humanitarian activities in the region.
The source noted that the operation is being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure compliance with technical and security standards governing mine action activities.
Reopening the road is expected to facilitate civilian movement between communities in northeastern Syria and improve access for humanitarian and commercial activities, provided that clearance operations are completed successfully and the route is declared safe for public use.