In a devastating incident that underscores the peril lingering in post-war Syria, two young children lost their lives after being struck by an unexploded ordnance in the village of Maardabsa. Zahraa, aged five, and her six-year-old cousin Muhammad were playing with what they thought was a harmless scrap of metal when their lives were abruptly snuffed out. The tragedy reflects a grim reality: even as the conflict appears to have waned, the remnants of war continue to pose an insidious threat to civilians, particularly children.
A Morning Turned Tragic
On the morning of February 6, 2026, Ali Mohammed Al-Abrash was enjoying breakfast when he heard an explosion. Rushing outside, he discovered the aftermath of a horrific scene: four children, including his beloved niece and nephew, were sprawled on the ground, bleeding and in agony. Two of the children were already lifeless, while the other two, Ali, aged three, and Ibrahim, twelve, were severely injured, their bodies riddled with shrapnel from an unexploded weapon left behind by forces loyal to deposed leader Bashar al-Assad.
“We were in complete shock. We didn’t even realise what was happening. We couldn’t understand how tragic it was,” Al-Abrash recounted, his voice thick with grief. The family, now displaced and living in a tent, is haunted by memories of Zahraa and Muhammad. “Every corner of the village reminds us of them,” he lamented.
A Hidden Menace
The tragedy is not isolated; it is part of a grim trend that continues to plague northern Syria. Since the fall of the Assad regime just over a year ago, approximately ten Syrians have been killed each week by unexploded ordnance. Disturbingly, nearly a third of these casualties are children.
In the past month alone, the United Nations reported one of the deadliest periods for mine-related fatalities since the regime’s collapse. Seventeen people were killed between January 1 and 7, including seven children, with many more suffering life-altering injuries. The total number of casualties since December 8, 2024, has reached 1,734, with children accounting for a staggering 185 of the deaths.
The explosion that claimed Zahraa and Muhammad’s lives was attributed to a cluster munition, a widely condemned weapon notorious for its high failure rates. Children, often unaware of the grave danger they face, cannot resist the allure of playing with metallic debris, unaware that it could hold deadly consequences.
The Agricultural Crisis and Rising Risks
As families return to their lands, hoping to revive their livelihoods after years of conflict, the risks only multiply. The fields, once fertile and full of life, have become treacherous landscapes littered with unexploded munitions. Simon Jackson, the Syria Programme Manager for The Halo Trust, highlighted the dangers faced by farmers. “As we enter the prime cultivating period, we expect to see more accidents,” he warned, noting the stark contrast between safe and unsafe areas marked by craters of previous explosions.
With Syria grappling with a food production crisis, many families, driven by desperation, are compelled to cultivate their land despite the risks. Children, who often assist in farming activities, are particularly vulnerable. The recent report from the Landmine Monitor revealed that 2024 saw a four-year high in deaths and injuries caused by landmines and unexploded ordnance globally, with Syria being a significant contributor to this alarming statistic.
The Ongoing Human Cost
The heart-wrenching story of Zahraa, Muhammad, and their family is emblematic of a much larger tragedy playing out across Syria. Despite the cessation of overt hostilities, the spectre of unexploded ordnance continues to haunt communities, especially those attempting to rebuild their lives. As families like Ali’s grapple with their loss, they remain trapped in a cycle of trauma and danger, with the past’s remnants threatening to extinguish the future of the next generation.
Why it Matters
The loss of Zahraa and Muhammad is not just a family tragedy; it is a stark reminder of the enduring consequences of conflict and the urgent need for comprehensive demining efforts in war-torn regions. With civilians, particularly children, bearing the brunt of these hidden threats, the international community must prioritise humanitarian assistance and support for mine clearance programmes. As Syria attempts to rebuild, the safety of its children should be at the forefront of recovery efforts—because no child should ever have to pay the price for the sins of war.
