Syria is preparing to unveil its first national interactive landmine map, a landmark initiative aimed at identifying contaminated areas and improving clearance operations across the country, Minister of Emergency Services and Disaster Management Raed al‑Saleh announced on Monday.
Speaking to SANA, Saleh said the National Mine Action Center is implementing a three‑year strategic framework for mine action, designed to strengthen national capabilities and accelerate the removal of explosive remnants of war. He described ERW contamination as one of the most pressing challenges facing Syria, citing its direct threat to civilians, particularly children, and its impact on reconstruction efforts and agricultural recovery.
Saleh emphasized that the ministry is expanding international cooperation to support demining efforts. He confirmed ongoing collaboration with Germany and Ukraine, noting that a Ukrainian technical team recently visited Syria and that a Syrian delegation is expected to travel to Ukraine soon. These exchanges, he said, are part of a broader effort to build national expertise through partnerships with donor states and specialized international institutions.
Despite persistent obstacles, Saleh stated that the ministry continues to refine its plans and strategies to achieve measurable progress. The goal, he said, is to protect civilians, enable farmers to reclaim their land, and support the rehabilitation of communities affected by years of conflict.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance scattered across wide areas of the country remain a major barrier to safe returns for displaced residents. The danger was underscored on Monday when a landmine detonated in the town of Halfaya in rural Hama, striking a family harvesting olives. The blast killed a four‑year‑old child and injured his mother and uncle.
According to the Cluster Munition Monitor, cited by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Syria recorded the highest number of casualties from cluster munition remnants worldwide in 2025. The country accounted for 68 of 117 documented cases, representing more than half of the global total. This occurred despite no new cluster munition use being recorded in Syria following the fall of the former regime in late 2024.
The report classified Syria’s cluster munition contamination as medium, estimating between 10 and 99 square kilometers of affected land as of December 31, 2025. However, it stressed that this remains an approximation, as Syria has yet to conduct a comprehensive baseline survey. The absence of complete data continues to hinder efforts to determine the full extent of contamination, identify at‑risk populations, and establish effective national priorities for clearance.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
