bbc.com
Landmines Kill Civilians Returning to Farms in Idlib
In Idlib, Syria, Ayghad's father was killed by a landmine while reclaiming their farmland; since December, landmines and unexploded ordnance have killed at least 144 people, including 27 children, highlighting the danger to civilians returning to previously war-torn areas.
- What is the immediate impact of landmines on civilians returning to their homes in formerly war-torn areas of Syria?
- In Idlib, Syria, Ayghad's father was killed by a landmine while returning to their farmland, previously seized by Assad regime forces. The family's 100,000 square meter olive grove is now a minefield, highlighting the ongoing danger to civilians.
- How are unexploded ordnance and landmines impacting the economic recovery and agricultural practices in Idlib province?
- Since the Assad regime's fall in December, at least 144 people, including 27 children, have died from landmines and unexploded ordnance in Northwest Syria, according to Halo Trust. Many victims were farmers returning to their land, illustrating the pervasive threat of unexploded munitions on formerly contested lands.
- What are the long-term consequences of insufficient demining efforts and lack of coordination among international and local organizations on the safety and well-being of the Syrian population?
- The discovery of Assad regime maps detailing mine locations offers a crucial resource for demining efforts. However, the lack of coordination between organizations and insufficient local expertise hampers progress, posing a continued risk to civilians, particularly children, returning to reclaim their farmland.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the human cost of landmines, using a poignant personal story to highlight the suffering of civilians. While this is understandable from a humanitarian perspective, it might overshadow other important aspects of the post-conflict situation in Syria. The headline itself focuses on the victims, potentially neglecting broader discussions on responsibility and solutions. The repeated use of emotionally charged words like 'silent killer' reinforces this focus.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, however, phrases like "silent killer" and descriptions of the devastation to the farmland evoke strong emotional responses. While powerful, these descriptions could be slightly toned down to maintain greater objectivity.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the impact of landmines on civilians returning to their farmland, particularly in Idlib. While it mentions the overall conflict and Assad's regime, it doesn't delve into the broader political context or motivations behind the landmine placement. The perspectives of the Syrian government or other actors involved in the conflict are absent. This omission could leave the reader with an incomplete understanding of the situation, focusing solely on the humanitarian consequences without the broader geopolitical context.
Gender Bias
The article focuses on male victims of landmines, particularly Ayghad and his father, and mentions that most of the deaths recorded were men. While this reflects the reality on the ground, it would be beneficial to include the experiences of women and children to provide a more complete picture of the situation.
Sustainable Development Goals
The landmines prevent farmers from accessing and cultivating their land, leading to significant economic hardship and impacting their livelihoods. The article highlights the loss of income for Ayghad's family after his father's death due to a landmine, and the inability of other farmers to cultivate their land, thus perpetuating poverty.