United Nations: 10 million people living in minefields in Syria

ARK News: Hundreds more have been killed by the explosives, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.

In July alone, 15 children were among 30 civilians killed by landmines, explosives or grenades in various parts of the country, it says.

This year, truffle digging saw many people, including women and children, lose their lives in the country's center, northeast and east, state media has said.

Across Syria, more than 10 million people live in areas contaminated by explosive hazards, the United Nations says.

The official, who also asked not to be named, said demining was especially difficult as "there are no maps of the landmines".

As a result, sweeping operations could take "decades", he added.

In July 2018, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) signed a memorandum of understanding with the government to establish a permanent representation in Damascus.

The United Nations has trained 70 people and deployed them to areas in Damascus and Hama to raise awareness about explosive hazards, UN spokeswoman Fadwa Abedrabou Baroud said.

"Explosive remnants are dangerous. Do not touch... Immediately alert the nearest authority," reads one such message.

Source: ASHARQ AL-AWSAR

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