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September 23, 2026

I Thought It Was Just an Ordinary Object: An Incident Highlights the Importance of Awareness in War-Affected Areas

On 19 May 2026, Imad Abdulrahman Sinu, a displaced person from Sere Kaniye/Ras al-Ain who lives in Tal Masas village in the Tal Tamr area, was injured when a war-remnant object exploded while he was grazing sheep.

Imad says:

“I was grazing the sheep and throwing stones casually. I did not expect the object near me to be dangerous. It suddenly exploded, and its fragments injured my hand, parts of my fingers, and my foot. I did not lose consciousness after the incident. I remember that my neighbours helped me and took me to a hospital in Tal Tamr.”

He adds:

“I did not know that an object like this could explode. Today, I have four children, three of whom attend school, and I have become more worried about them. They need awareness, and perhaps I also needed it before this incident happened to me.”

Meanwhile, Adnan al-Darbo, principal of Tal Masas School, says the incident has raised concerns among local residents, explaining:

“Parents have become more cautious and attentive to their children, whether while they are playing and moving around the village or on their way to school.”

He adds:

“Over the past years, we have received only one awareness session, and this is not enough, especially as war remnants continue to be present in the area.”

Adnan al-Darbo notes that more than 100 displaced families live in the village, while some are approaching the point of returning to their areas of origin, which remain contaminated with war remnants.

Under these circumstances, raising awareness about the risks of mines and explosive remnants of war remains essential for residents, particularly children and displaced families returning to areas where war remnants may still be present.

By admin
Mines
September 15, 2026

From Awareness Sessions to Return: A Teacher Carries a Message of Safety Back to His Community

For years, Mohammad Hamidi had been away from his village of Al-Ahras in the Serekaniye/Ras al-Ayn countryside, after being displaced, like many other families, by years of conflict. When the time came to return, he knew that the area was no longer as it had been. The effects of war were still present, and some of the surrounding areas continued to pose unknown risks.

In March 2026, Mohammad participated in mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) risk awareness sessions at the Serekaniye Camp in Hasakah city, organized by Roj Community Protection (RCP). For him, the knowledge he gained was preparation for a new life in which he would need to protect his family and community.

On 10 August 2026, Mohammad returned to his village. As a teacher, he sees his responsibility as extending beyond his own family to include the children he teaches and the wider community around him.

Mohammad says:

“So far, we have not heard of any mines being present or found any inside our village. However, the area has experienced many years of war, and there are many destroyed houses that may pose risks. The surrounding areas may also contain hazards. This is why raising awareness about the risks of mines and explosive remnants of war is so important.”

Mohammad also emphasizes the importance of supervising children and keeping them away from the areas surrounding the village, saying:

“It is important that we keep an eye on our children and our neighbours’ children, and make sure they do not go into the areas surrounding the village, because we still do not know what may be there.”

He also highlights the importance of having nearby and adequately equipped health facilities, saying:

“There are no nearby health facilities that can provide specialized first aid in the event of an accident, God forbid. It is therefore important to have nearby, well-equipped health services capable of responding quickly and providing initial care to those injured.”

Today, Mohammad carries back to Al-Ahras the knowledge he gained before his return, along with a sense of responsibility towards the children and families around him. His story shows how mine and explosive remnants of war risk awareness can support returning communities in making safer decisions in areas that continue to bear the effects of conflict.

By admin
Mines
August 18, 2022

Mines: A Threat That Persists Beyond Conflict

The effects of conflict do not end when the sound of fighting stops. Many communities continue to face a silent danger hidden beneath the ground. Mines and unexploded ordnance do not distinguish between a child, a shepherd, or a farmer, and can turn an ordinary moment into a tragedy that changes an entire family’s life.

In the Jalamda area of Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Majid Al-Hussein experienced this tragedy.

One of his relatives, who was with him on the day of the incident, recalls:

“On a spring morning, I went out with my cousin Majid to graze the sheep, as we always did. Everything seemed normal until we decided to go to a nearby piece of land to collect some branches for a fire. While Majid was gathering firewood, a huge explosion suddenly occurred. In an instant, everything changed. I found Majid lying on the ground, seriously injured. I had no way to call for help except by shouting. After a few minutes, a car passing nearby stopped, and we took him to the nearest health center. But the doctors told us that he had died from his injuries.”

Those moments have remained in the witness’s memory to this day, just as the grief has remained in the heart of a family that lost one of its members in an incident that could have been prevented if the land had been safe.

Majid’s story is not an isolated case. It represents the reality faced by thousands of civilians in conflict-affected areas, where mines and explosive remnants of war continue to threaten their lives and prevent them from carrying out basic daily activities such as herding, farming, or going to school.

By admin
Mines
August 18, 2022

Laith… When an Explosive Device Changed the Course of a Life

For Laith, displacement was not simply about leaving his home in the village of Jarmiz in the Hasakah countryside; it was the beginning of a journey marked by loss. As events escalated and ISIS entered the area, he and his family were forced to leave their village in search of a safer place.

But the road to safety was not safe.

During their displacement, one of the explosive devices planted along the road detonated, changing his life in an instant. Laith lost consciousness due to the force of the explosion and did not wake up until days later in a hospital.

Laith recalls those moments:

“When I regained consciousness, I had a strange feeling. I tried to move my leg, but I realized that I had lost it. At first, I could not comprehend what had happened. All I could think about was: How will I continue my life? How will I adapt to this new reality?”

Before the incident, Laith was a student who aspired to continue his education and support his family of twelve. However, the explosion changed the course of his life and forced him to face new challenges he had never imagined.

Laith’s story is not an exception. It represents the reality faced by hundreds of civilians injured by mines, explosive devices, and explosive remnants of war, which continue to spread across fields, roads, and homes in conflict-affected areas, threatening civilian lives even after the fighting has stopped.

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By admin
Mines
August 18, 2022

When Explosive Remnants of War Impose a New Reality

The suffering of communities affected by conflict does not end when the fighting stops. Mines and unexploded ordnance continue to threaten civilian lives and leave consequences that can last for years after the conflict has ended.

Hassan is one of those civilians whose life changed in an instant.

After returning to his area following the end of the conflict, Hassan went out to check the surroundings of his home, unaware that a hidden danger still lay beneath the ground.

Hassan recalls what happened:

“I was walking near my home after the conflict in our area had ended when I suddenly heard a powerful explosion. I do not remember what happened afterward. I regained consciousness days later in the hospital, where doctors told me that I had lost my right leg.”

He continues:

“The physical pain was not the hardest part. What was more difficult was thinking about my new life. I kept wondering how I would continue working and how I would take care of my children and my family. I felt that I had lost my ability to fulfill the role I had always played in supporting my family.”

Before the incident, Hassan worked to support his family. Today, he is no longer able to work as he did before, and crutches have become his primary means of mobility as he continues to adapt to a reality imposed on him by explosive remnants of war.

Hassan’s story reflects the reality faced by many civilians living in conflict-affected areas, where mines and unexploded ordnance continue to threaten lives and cause permanent injuries, even years after the fighting has ended.

The impact of weapon contamination extends far beyond physical injuries. It also affects the psychological, social, and economic well-being of individuals and families. True recovery does not begin simply when a conflict ends; it begins when the dangers that prevent communities from returning to their normal lives are removed.

By admin
Mines
August 19, 2021

In the innocence of childhood, anything lying on the ground can look like a toy

Twelve-year-old Mateem Ali did not understand the danger of the place he had gone to until he became the victim of a landmine — a weapon that does not distinguish between a child, a woman, or an animal.

Mateem and his family had been displaced from the Deir ez-Zor area to Jarmiz, in the countryside of Al-Shaddadi, in search of safety and a life free from the violence they had fled.

But a landmine planted on a nearby hill known as Jabal Al-Anaz was waiting for him, hidden beneath the ground as he played nearby.

The mines planted by ISIS did not threaten armed forces alone. Their danger extended to civilians and innocent people, claiming lives, causing permanent injuries and disabilities, and taking away the innocence of childhood.

The explosion sent shrapnel into Mateem’s body, face, and leg, leaving injuries that may affect him for the rest of his life. Yet he was only a child, unable to understand why he had to pay such a price.

Mateem recalls that he was herding sheep with a friend. At around ten in the morning, they were preparing to leave when the explosion occurred:

“We were herding the sheep, and suddenly I felt myself being thrown into the air by the force of the explosion. I was still conscious and aware of what was happening around me.”

He continues:

“After the mine exploded and shrapnel spread across my body, I managed to reach the nearby houses with great difficulty, with the help of my friend. The family there bandaged my wounds to stop the bleeding.”

Mateem suffered multiple shrapnel injuries across his body. More than anything, he feared that he would lose his foot and hoped that he would be able to walk on it again.

He struggled to hold back his tears as he recalled his mother’s fear when he arrived home with his clothes covered in blood:

“Everyone at home was terrified. They were all crying.”

During the interview, Mateem shared a message with other children living in areas affected by conflict. He urged them to stay away from suspicious places and never touch objects that could be mines or other explosive remnants of war, so they would not face a fate like his or lose their lives.

What happened to Mateem is part of an ongoing danger facing communities in Al-Shaddadi, where the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war remains hidden beneath the ground and in places people regularly visit. These hazards continue to claim lives, cause injuries, and leave people with permanent disabilities.

RMCO has successfully cleared most of the explosive hazards from the area where Mateem lives. When landmines, improvised explosive devices, and unexploded ordnance are removed, families have a greater chance to work and live safely, while children can grow up free from fear.

By admin
Mines
August 19, 2021

A Landmine Could Not Stand Between Him and His Dream of Education

Shaalan recalls the moment that changed his life:

“We had fled to nearby areas because of the fighting. We had only just returned to our home in Fadaghmi after the armed groups were driven out. When I tried to open the door, an explosion occurred. I screamed once, and then I lost awareness of everything around me.”

Shaalan regained consciousness several days later in the hospital. He had sustained multiple injuries, particularly to his abdomen and hand. As he gradually became aware of his surroundings, he noticed that the lower part of his body felt strangely lighter. Then he realized the truth: he had lost his left leg.

Despair and fear took hold of him — fear of disappointing his family, of being unable to support them or return to his normal life, and of becoming dependent on them for everyday activities. But with time, he gradually began to adapt to his new reality.

Shaalan began learning to walk with crutches, slowly and painfully. With every step, a small sense of hope began to emerge — the hope that his life could improve and that what he had lost would not mark the end of his journey.

Today, Shaalan attends school. He is a bright and dedicated student who remains committed to his education despite the challenges he faces. However, he struggles with the distance to school and experiences pain on the way due to his injury.

Shaalan says:

“All I wish for is to be able to finish my education.”

Despite his efforts to move forward, Shaalan sometimes still feels that what happened to him was unfair.

“I was not a fighter, and I had no enemies.”

The fear of landmines remains deeply rooted in his memory. What happened did not affect his body alone; its impact extended to his entire family. Shaalan says that none of them will easily forget what happened, and that the fear of another family member being injured in a similar incident will remain with them, leaving a lasting mark long after the incident itself.

By admin
Mines
August 19, 2021

Persistent Landmines, Families Paying the Price

As he did every day, Hassan Hanoush set out at dawn to buy his daily necessities. Before leaving, he kissed his ten-year-old son on the cheek and promised to return by the end of the day with something that would make him happy.

Hassan left the Al-Mashouh area, west of Al-Shaddadi, unaware that this would be the last morning of his life — and that the gift he was carrying for his son would never reach his hands.

Two hours before sunset, after finishing his shopping and preparing to return to his village, Hassan was walking along the road carrying a gift for his son. On the roadside, near a garbage container, an improvised explosive device fitted with a timer had been planted along a route used by civilians.

Hassan was unaware of the danger. As he approached the device, it exploded, leaving him critically injured. He was taken to the hospital, but succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind four children without a father or provider.

That day, Hassan’s family did not simply lose a father and a provider. A ten-year-old child also lost the father who had promised to return home with a gift.

Landmines, improvised explosive devices, and explosive remnants of war continue to threaten civilian lives, even in areas where life has resumed after the fighting has ended. They leave behind new victims and families forced to pay a price they had no part in creating.

As part of efforts to reduce this threat, our engineering teams have cleared approximately 90% of the area where Hassan lived, helping protect civilians and prevent further casualties caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war.

By admin
Mines
August 17, 2021

When Landmines Stand in the Way of Dreams

For 26-year-old Kazem Mohammed Al-Affar, his dream was to protect his family from the conflict in his area and provide them with a safer life. But that dream was shattered in an instant when he stepped on a stone concealing a landmine.

The force of the explosion knocked him unconscious. He regained consciousness in a hospital, surrounded by doctors. He tried to move his limbs and sit upright, only to face a devastating reality: he had not only lost consciousness — he had lost both of his legs.

Kazem later learned that he had entered a minefield planted by an extremist group in an area inhabited by civilians, putting both people and animals at risk.

Kazem recalls:

“Days passed as I lay in the hospital bed, looking at my injured legs in despair, day after day. I tried to resist my disability, hoping that somehow my legs might recover or that something might change. At that moment, I felt a profound sense of helplessness and overwhelming despair.”

He continues:

“I tried to sit on a chair nearby, as if I were not injured. I had heard stories of people who had lost limbs because of landmines and explosive remnants of war, or whose lives had been permanently changed by them. I listened closely to a man sitting nearby as he described landmines in the harshest terms. I brought one leg closer to the other, but I realized that they were no longer the way I remembered them. The feeling of loss almost overwhelmed me.”

Today, Kazem is calling for landmines to be cleared from his city, so that others do not have to face the fate he experienced and families can return to their lives without fearing a hidden danger beneath their feet.

Kazem Is Not the Only Victim

The landmines did not shatter Kazem’s dream of walking again alone. Many innocent civilians across Syria — including women, children, and older people — have faced a similar fate, becoming victims of explosive remnants of war that continue to threaten lives long after the fighting has stopped.

By admin