IDLIB, Syria — Four months ago, Suleiman Khalil was working alongside two friends, cultivating olives in a Syrian orchard. Unbeknownst to them, the seemingly peaceful soil concealed deadly weapons of war. Suddenly, they spotted a mine on the ground. Overcome with fear, the group attempted to escape the area. Tragically, Khalil stepped on a land mine, and it exploded. His companions fled to find an ambulance, leaving Khalil, 21, to believe he had been deserted.
“I started crawling, and then a second land mine detonated,” Khalil recounted. “In that moment, I thought I had died. I didn’t expect to survive.” The initial explosion severely damaged his left leg, while the second blast resulted in the loss of his right leg from above the knee. Utilizing his shirt as a makeshift tourniquet, Khalil cried out for assistance until a nearby soldier came to his rescue. Now, four months later, Khalil reflects on his arduous journey to recovery. His amputated leg remains wrapped in cloth as he sits on a thin mattress. Despite the challenges, he holds onto hope, dreaming of obtaining a prosthetic limb that would allow him to work and support his family once more.
Nearly 14 years of devastating civil war in Syria concluded with the fall of Bashar Assad on December 8. However, remnants of war, such as land mines, continue to inflict harm. According to the International Safety Organization (INSO), these dangerous remnants have claimed the lives of at least 249 individuals, including 60 children, since the end of the conflict. An additional 379 people have been seriously injured. A report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) reveals the extensive contamination caused by mines and explosives, placed by the Syrian government, its allies, and opposition groups since 2011. Vast areas of land, once inaccessible, have now become deadly zones.
The task of clearing these explosives is monumental. Ahmad Jomaa, a member of a demining unit with Syria’s defense ministry, acknowledges that the endeavor will be protracted. As he surveys farmland near Maarrat al-Numan with a handheld detector, he points out a visible mine in the soil. “This mine has the potential to sever a limb,” Jomaa notes. “It requires manual detonation.” Rural Idlib’s agricultural lands are riddled with such hazards. Jomaa’s team has witnessed the devastating impact firsthand; recent incidents include a tractor explosion that severely injured farm workers. Many mines, primarily targeting individuals and small vehicles, pose a daily risk to communities heavily reliant on farming.
Efforts to clear these perilous fields have come at a steep price for the dedicated demining teams. Many have paid with their lives or suffered life-altering injuries in their pursuit of a safer Syria. Jomaa estimates that his team has faced multiple casualties—both in loss of limbs and loss of comrades. The scarcity of advanced equipment further complicates their mission, as sophisticated mines lie concealed beneath the surface.
Beyond physical danger, land mines cause deep psychological scars and disrupt lives, displacing families, damaging property, and limiting access to essential services, as noted by HRW. The organization emphasizes the necessity of the transitional government establishing a civilian-led mine action body, working with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to streamline efforts. Historically, the Syrian military strategically planted these mines to deter opposition forces, yet even after reclaiming territories, they made minimal attempts to remove these threats.
For individuals like Salah Sweid, the impact of mines hits close to home. He frequently visits his brother Mohammad’s grave, a former Syrian Republican Guard member turned opposition ally. Mohammad dedicated his life to demining efforts in Idlib, dismantling mines frequently. Tragically, during one such mission, an undetected explosive detonated, claiming his life.
Despite efforts by individuals like Mohammad, countless mines remain buried across Syria. In a nearby village, young Jalal al-Maarouf, tending to his goats, stepped on a mine shortly after the fall of Assad’s regime. The explosion resulted in the amputation of his left leg. He now awaits the possibility of a prosthetic, though the cost exceeds $3,000, an amount far beyond his reach. His story adds a personal face to the ongoing struggle against remnants of war in Syria. As communities work to reclaim their lives and land, the specter of land mines looms ever large, a persistent reminder of the past conflict.