bbc.com
Landmines Kill Returning Civilians in Syria
In Idlib, Syria, landmines left behind from the conflict are killing returning civilians, including Ayghad's father, who was killed by a landmine while trying to farm his land. At least 144 people, including 27 children, have been killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance since early December.
- What is the immediate human cost of unexploded ordnance and landmines in post-conflict Syria?
- Landmines in Syria are silently killing those who survived the war. Ayghad returned to his olive groves only to find his father killed by a landmine. At least 144 people, including 27 children, have died since the Assad regime's fall in early December, according to the Halo Trust.
- How are returning farmers and landowners affected by landmines, and what are the long-term economic implications?
- The conflict left behind a legacy of unexploded ordnance and landmines, posing a significant threat to returning civilians. The White Helmets, while working to clear UXO, lack the expertise and resources to address the widespread landmine problem effectively. Thousands of landmines were placed by government forces to impede rebel advances, turning fertile farmland into dangerous minefields.
- What international collaboration is needed to address the pervasive landmine problem in Syria, and what specific strategies are required for effective demining and prevention?
- The lack of coordination between organizations working to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) hinders effective demining efforts. The White Helmets' discovery of government documents detailing mine locations offers a potential pathway to expedite the process. However, international collaboration and substantial funding are needed to develop local expertise and expand demining operations to mitigate this ongoing threat.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the human cost of landmines on returning refugees. The emotional impact of Ayghad's story is used to draw the reader's attention to the suffering caused by the mines. While effective in highlighting the humanitarian crisis, this framing might unintentionally downplay the broader political and strategic dimensions of the landmine problem.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and descriptive, focusing on factual details. The descriptions of the landmine fields as "deadly" and "dangerous" are factual assessments and avoid overly emotional or charged language. The use of quotes from affected individuals adds emotional weight but remains mostly descriptive.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the impact of landmines on returning refugees, particularly the tragic death of Ayghad's father. However, it omits discussion of the political context surrounding the mine-laying, specifically who placed the mines and why, beyond stating it was government forces. While acknowledging that the government forces laid the mines, a deeper exploration of the motivations and strategic implications behind this action would enrich the article's analysis and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the conflict.
Gender Bias
The article features male victims prominently (Ayghad's father and other male farmers). While it mentions that most of the recorded deaths are men, it does not explicitly analyze whether this reflects a pattern of gendered vulnerability or is simply a reflection of who engages in farming activities in the region. More balanced representation of gendered impacts would be beneficial.
Sustainable Development Goals
The landmines prevent farmers from cultivating their land, leading to economic hardship and perpetuating poverty. The quote "Bu toprakları işleyemediğimiz müddetçe yoksulluğumuz devam edecek" (As long as we cannot cultivate this land, our poverty will continue) directly highlights this connection.