On the occasion of International Mine Awareness Day, Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) reaffirms its call to protect civilians and uphold human dignity by addressing the devastating legacy of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

These weapons continue to claim lives, inflict permanent injuries, and obstruct recovery in many post-conflict regions, including Yemen, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Gaza, and Lebanon.

Landmines not only threaten the lives of civilians but also violate fundamental human rights by hindering the safe return of displaced communities, delaying humanitarian aid, and obstructing reconstruction. In many areas, families live in constant fear, years after active hostilities have ceased, due to the presence of unmapped and hidden explosive devices. These remnants of war continue to silently kill and maim, leaving behind trauma and suffering that spans generations.

The Ottawa Treaty, adopted in 1997, represented a turning point in global efforts to eliminate anti-personnel mines. With 156 countries having ratified the treaty and over 41 million mines destroyed, the progress is significant but incomplete. The continued use of landmines by non-state actors and the refusal of some states to join the treaty remain serious humanitarian, legal, and moral concerns.

In Yemen, the widespread and undocumented use of anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines by the Houthi group has made the country one of the most heavily contaminated in the world, particularly in areas such as Al Hudaydah and Taiz. In Syria, large parts of Raqqa, Aleppo, and Deir ez-Zor remain mined, with clearance efforts hampered by limited funding and international engagement. Libya continues to face hazards in cities like Tripoli and Sirte, where banned mines have been deployed in violation of international law. In Sudan, the conflict since April 2023 has seen mines planted in residential areas of Khartoum and Darfur, including around hospitals and public facilities—posing grave risks to civilians and relief workers.

In Gaza, the ongoing Israeli military operations since October 2023 have resulted in widespread contamination with unexploded ordnance, cluster munitions, and landmines, leading to hundreds of civilian casualties. In light of the ongoing siege and lack of capabilities, these weapons have not only killed and injured noncombatants, including women and children, but also obstructed rescue efforts and deepened the humanitarian catastrophe In Lebanon, the southern territories remain severely affected by Israeli occupation and repeated conflicts, as cluster munitions from years of aggression continue to threaten civilian lives and impede the safe use of agricultural land, despite significant efforts by local and international demining teams.

WJWC commends the efforts of the United Nations and international demining organizations that provide vital technical and logistical support in affected regions. The organization stresses the importance of strong cooperation between UN agencies, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to develop sustainable, community-centered approaches to mine clearance and victim support.

WJWC expresses solidarity with all mine victims and their families—those who have lost loved ones, suffered life-altering injuries, or continue to live under the shadow of danger. The organization calls on all parties to immediately cease the use of landmines, comply with international humanitarian law, and accede to key international agreements including the Ottawa Treaty, the Fifth Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War, and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

WJWC urges the international community, particularly signatories of the Ottawa Treaty and states with influence in conflict regions, to take immediate steps to pressure all parties in Yemen, Syria, and Libya to halt mine usage. The organization advocates for increased funding for mine clearance operations and victim assistance, legal accountability for violators, and expanded awareness initiatives. Special attention must be given to rural and marginalized areas that face the greatest risks but receive the least support.

Landmines are not just remnants of past wars—they are deliberate instruments of death that continue to endanger lives every day. Protecting humanity means eradicating these threats and working together to ensure that no child, woman, or man lives under the constant fear of stepping on a hidden weapon buried beneath their feet.

Released by:

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC)
April 4, 2025