Explosive remnants claim lives of at least 16 in Latakia

Syria has been grappling with the devastating consequences of a prolonged civil conflict that has persisted for over a decade. On Saturday, March 15, 2025, an unexploded bomb from this conflict detonated in the coastal city of Latakia, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 16 lives and injuring 18 others. This incident unfolded when a scrap dealer unknowingly handled the dangerous ordnance, leading to a powerful explosion that collapsed a four-story residential building. Rescue operations were subsequently initiated by the White Helmets, a paramedic group, whose members worked throughout the night to search for any survivors in the debris and recover the bodies of the deceased, including five women and five children. The injured were promptly transported to local hospitals for medical attention. The detonation of unexploded ordnance highlights one of the most perilous legacies of the Syrian conflict, which has led to thousands of civilian casualties over the years. According to reports from the United Nations, nearly 100 people have died due to such unexploded devices since the war began. While various disposal teams have intensified their operations to eliminate these remnants of war, estimates indicate that between 100,000 and 300,000 munitions failed to detonate during the conflict and remain a significant threat to civilian populations. Furthermore, specific areas in Syria, such as Idleb, Aleppo, Hama, Deir-ez-Zor, and Latakia, have been identified as minefields and contaminated zones, rendering them extremely dangerous for returnees. In light of this explosion, the humanitarian efforts to clear these deadly remnants continue, but the task is daunting. Despite the disposal of over 1,400 unexploded devices since the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad in December and ongoing clearance operations, the presence of undetonated explosives still stymies recovery efforts and endangers lives. Ill-fated occurrences, such as the one in Latakia, serve as a stark reminder that the ramifications of the conflict linger long after the fighting ceases. This incident occurred during a time when celebrations were taking place in other regions of Syria, commemorating the 14th anniversary of the uprising against Assad's regime. The juxtaposition of joy in some areas with the tragedy that struck Latakia underlines the stark divisions and ongoing peril faced by many Syrians as they navigate the aftermath of a destructive civil war. The violence in Latakia echoes the broader instability across Syria as gunmen loyal to Assad have also recently engaged in ambushes against security patrols, leading to further violence and civilian casualties, including over 1,000 deaths.