Syria: Landmines in al-Bab city pose risk to civilians

By Omer Koparan

AL-BAB, Syria (AA) – Civilians in the northern Syrian city of al-Bab are awaiting help from authorities to clear the area from landmines, planted by Daesh/ISIS terror group.

The landmines and other explosives are strewn across and have limited agriculture activities, besides endangering humans and livestock.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Muhammed Kalso, whose son was injured from a landmine explosion last week, has urged for a large-scale mine-clearing operation in the area.

His son was injured while walking in the middle of the village.

"If we had known there was a mine in the middle of the village, we would not have taken the kids out. I ask the security forces to do mine-clearing work to prevent more people from getting hurt,“ he said.

Kalso said he was thankful to the Turkish Armed Forces and the Syrian National Army for driving terrorists out and wanted them to clear the area from mines as well.

In February 2017, Turkish troops and the Syrian National Army (SNA) liberated Al-Bab from the ISIS/Daesh terrorist group as part of Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield.

The operation that lasted for seven months began in August 2016 was carried out to eliminate the terrorist presence along the Turkish border.

The terror group had planted landmines in the area to prevent the progress of the Turkish troops and the SNA.

Although clearing activities were carried out by the forces in the liberated areas, many of the mines still hidden in the ground have harmed many civilians.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan