The United Nations reported nine deaths, including six children, and 13 injuries from explosions of munitions left over from Syria's conflict during the past week. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric made the announcement on Friday at the organization's headquarters in New York.
The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded about 12 incidents involving explosive munitions across six areas of Syria in that period. The deadliest was in Daraa province, where a land mine detonated as a civilian vehicle passed, killing five children and injuring three others.
Dujarric said the risks posed by explosive remnants of war to civilians, particularly children, raised "grave concern." He noted that Raqqa, in northern Syria, registered the highest number of incidents, reflecting continuing dangers from ordnance left by the conflict.
Dujarric emphasized that removing explosive munitions, raising awareness of their hazards, and assisting victims were "vital" to protecting civilians and ensuring their safe return home. The International Committee of the Red Cross and other organizations are conducting mine-clearance operations across several Syrian areas.
