Suleiman Halil had been harvesting olives in a Syrian orchard with two friends four months ago.
The trio suddenly notices a mine lying on the ground. In panic, Halil and his friends try to leave, but he steps into the hidden mines that exploded. Fearful, his friend ran to find an ambulance, but 21-year-old Halil thought he had abandoned him.
Halil’s left leg was severely injured in the first explosion. His right leg was blown out of his lap in the second explosion. He used his shirt as a tourniquet for his stump, yelling for help until nearby soldiers heard him and rushed to his aid.
The Syrian War of nearly 14 years ended on December 8th with the collapse of Bashar al-Assad, but the remnants of the war continued to kill and mime.
Mines and explosive debris — widely used by Syrian government forces, its allies and armed opposition parties since 2011 — have polluted vast areas, many of which have only been accessible after the collapse of Al-Assad’s government, and recent reports from the Human Rights Clock (HRW) show that mine casualties have skyrocketed.
Experts estimated that tens of thousands of mines remain buried throughout Syria, especially in previous frontline regions, such as rural areas in Idlib province.
These munitions have killed at least 249 people, including 60 children, and 379 have been injured by these munitions since December 8, according to INSO, an international organisation that coordinates the safety of aid workers.
Not only do mines kill and order, but they also cause long-term psychological trauma and wider harm, including evacuation, loss of property and reduced access to essential services, HRW says.
Rights groups urged transitioning governments to coordinate with the United Nations Mining Action Service to streamline and expand their nuanced efforts.
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