United Nations, Sep 2026 : The United Nations has warned of the continuing deadly threat posed by explosive ordnance contamination in Syria, with unexploded weapons and landmines affecting civilian life and restricting people's ability to move, work and support their families.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Friday that a dozen explosive ordnance incidents were recorded over the past week across six Syrian governorates. The incidents killed nine people, including six children, and injured 13 others.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred in Deir ez-Zor governorate on Monday, when a landmine struck a civilian vehicle, killing five children and injuring three other civilians. Raqqa governorate reported the highest number of explosive ordnance incidents during the week, highlighting the continuing dangers posed by explosive remnants of war in northern Syria.
In a separate incident on Tuesday, an explosion involving a vehicle loaded with ammunition killed two people and injured five others in the city of Binnish in northwestern Syria's Idlib province, according to state news agency SANA, which cited the provincial emergency and disaster management directorate.
The blast reportedly triggered a series of further explosions in the city, adding to the risks faced by residents and emergency responders.
OCHA said the scale of contamination across Syria remains particularly concerning. Since December 8, 2024, more than 1,400 explosive ordnance incidents have been documented nationwide, resulting in nearly 2,500 civilian casualties, including around 880 deaths.
The UN humanitarian office said more than two-thirds of the recorded incidents occurred on agricultural and grazing land. This has increased the dangers for farmers, herders and others who depend on rural areas for their livelihoods, while also creating risks for people travelling between villages.
The presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance has therefore become not only a direct threat to civilian safety but also a major obstacle to economic activity and the safe return of displaced communities to their homes.
Mine-action organisations and humanitarian partners have stressed the need for a comprehensive response combining explosive ordnance risk education, large-scale clearance operations and assistance for people injured or otherwise affected by the contamination.
According to OCHA, educating civilians about the dangers of unexploded weapons is essential to prevent further casualties, particularly among children and people working in agricultural areas. At the same time, systematic clearance of contaminated land is required to make communities safer and enable farmers and herders to resume their livelihoods.
Humanitarian assistance for victims is also considered a critical component of the response, as those injured in explosive incidents may require medical treatment, rehabilitation and longer-term support.
The latest incidents underline the enduring consequences of explosive remnants of conflict in Syria, where contaminated areas continue to pose risks even after active fighting has subsided in some locations. The UN has called attention to the urgent need for sustained mine-action efforts to protect civilians and help affected communities safely rebuild their lives.
OCHA said clearance, risk awareness and victim assistance would remain vital to reducing casualties and enabling people to move freely and return home safely.
