Shocking videos have emerged on social media showing children in Ain Issa, northern Raqqa, playing with landmines, raising widespread concerns about the dangers they face. These scenes reflect a significant ignorance of the risks associated with landmines and the absence of any real oversight or awareness.
In the Syrian desert, particularly in the rural areas of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, the rainy season typically begins with a widespread search for truffles, which are considered a source of livelihood for many families. However, this seasonal journey has turned into a perilous adventure due to the landmines left by various conflict parties, including the forces of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the Islamic State.
Details of the Incident
The videos show children in the vicinity of Ain Issa, tampering with landmines, attempting to dismantle them using primitive methods such as throwing stones or striking them forcefully. Another recording documented a child miraculously escaping after a mine exploded nearby, highlighting the significant dangers faced by children in these areas.
Reports also indicate the emergence of an old minefield in the Deir ez-Zor desert due to recent floods, increasing fears about the expanding danger. Other children have been observed playing with rocket launchers and 23mm shells left by the SDF, reflecting a serious disregard for the dangers posed by these remnants of war.
Background & Context
Landmines are considered one of the greatest threats to civilians in Syria, causing numerous deaths and injuries, especially among children. According to statistics, **40 people** were killed, including **8 children** and a woman, due to mine explosions and war remnants between **October 27, 2024**, and **January 19, 2025**.
There are increasing calls on social media for urgent action to protect children and residents of the area, and to carry out mine clearance operations using well-planned engineering methods. Local pages in Ain Issa have urged parents to educate children about the dangers of landmines and war remnants, warning them not to approach any suspicious objects.
Impact & Consequences
Incidents of mine explosions are on the rise, particularly among truffle hunters in the Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor deserts, prompting warnings from activists about the heightened level of danger. These activists have called on families throughout the eastern region to temporarily refrain from venturing into the desert in search of truffles due to the increasing threats.
Many questions arise regarding the absence of government action in addressing this crisis, with citizens questioning the state's responsibility, especially the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Ministry of Defense, in providing maps documenting mine locations.
Regional Significance
These incidents serve as a constant reminder of the danger posed by landmines in conflict areas, where residents live in a state of ongoing anxiety. The phrase of one commentator, "Raqqa does not experience liberation, but rather lives with deferred death," reflects a widespread sentiment among local residents who see the threat of war still present in their daily lives.
Under these circumstances, Syrians are calling through online platforms for the government to enlist specialized international teams to conduct a comprehensive survey of desert areas and to establish a clear timeline for mine clearance and securing roads and grazing areas for truffle collection. The continued presence of these dangers threatens civilian lives and underscores the urgent need for effective interventions to protect the population.