Syria: Mine casualties persist as UN partners scale up clearance operations
17 February 2025, Damascus, Syria – Despite ongoing clearance efforts, landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) continue to cause casualties in Syria, with civilians bearing the brunt of the impact. According to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), there have been over 3,500 mine/ERW casualties in Syria since 2011, with over 1,000 casualties in the past year alone.
In response to the ongoing threat, UNMAS and its partners are scaling up clearance operations across the country. In 2024, UNMAS and its partners cleared over 1 million square meters of land, destroying over 10,000 mines and ERW. The clearance operations are carried out in close coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and other local partners.
“Landmines and ERW continue to pose a major threat to civilians in Syria,” said Mr. David Shearer, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Syria. “UNMAS and its partners are working tirelessly to clear these deadly devices and make communities safe again.”
The clearance operations are part of a broader UN effort to support the people of Syria. The UN is also providing food, water, shelter, and medical care to those in need. The UN is also working to support the political process in Syria, with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the conflict.
The UN calls on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and to take all necessary measures to protect civilians from the threat of landmines and ERW. The UN also calls for increased support for mine action in Syria, so that more lives can be saved and communities can be made safe again.
For further information, please contact:
- UNMAS: [email protected]
- SARC: [email protected]
Syria: Mine casualties persist as UN partners scale up clearance operations
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