Syria UXO causing death and injury every six hours, charity says

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Unexploded ordnance in Syria is causing casualties about every six hours, with over 2,375 people killed or injured since late 2024, including more than 850 children. This enduring hazard, especially prevalent in farming areas where many have returned after regime change, continues to impede recovery efforts and highlights the urgent need for increased clearance and support services.

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Syria continues to pose a lethal threat, with casualties occurring approximately every six hours, according to a mine-clearance charity. The ongoing danger is a legacy of years of conflict, during which landmines and explosive remnants were widely planted across the country.

Malakeh Barbour, a 40-year-old mother living in the Damascus countryside, described the tragic loss of her 17-year-old son Ahmed last winter. Her children had gathered plastic and other materials to burn for heating when they inadvertently collected a piece of unexploded ordnance. The device detonated after being placed in their heater, killing Ahmed and injuring his brothers Haidar, 10, and Ghaith, seven. Barbour recounted the emotional toll on her family, expressing fear whenever her remaining children leave the home.

Since the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and other humanitarian organizations report that at least 2,375 individuals have been killed or wounded by UXO, including more than 850 children. Experts believe the true number of casualties is significantly higher due to underreporting in some areas.

The prolonged conflict, spanning over 13 years, left a widespread network of mines and explosive devices deployed by various factions throughout the country. These remnants continue to hamper recovery and reconstruction efforts while presenting ongoing threats to civilians, particularly in rural and agricultural zones.

Simon Jackson, Syria programme manager for the HALO Trust, a mine-clearance organization, confirmed that the rate of accidents remains alarmingly high. He said that in 2026 alone, nearly 700 casualties have resulted from explosive incidents, with about one-third of these cases proving fatal. Children comprise roughly one-third of all victims. More than 60 percent of accidents occurred in farming and grazing areas, where many Syrians returned in large numbers after the fall of Assad’s regime early last year, leading to a spike in incidents.

A June report from the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor identified Syria as having the highest global casualty rate from landmines and explosive remnants in the previous year, with approximately 1,600 victims recorded in 2025.

As Syria faces the daunting task of rebuilding, the presence of unexploded ordnance remains a critical and deadly obstacle, underscoring the urgent need for expanded clearance operations and survivor assistance.

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