On Friday, May 1, 2026, 10-year-old Wael Waliou, from the village of Akko in the northern Latakia Governorate, was killed by a landmine explosion in Khirbet al-Jouz camps in the western Idlib Governorate. The area is under the control of the Syrian government.
According to information obtained by the Syrian Network for Human Rights from reliable local sources, the child found a landmine while playing in farmland and brought it to his tent. While playing with it near the tent, the mine exploded, killing him instantly.
This area is among those that have witnessed changes in control between the warring parties, making it extremely difficult to determine who planted the mine.
We are continuing our investigations, including reviewing and gathering further evidence and information. Therefore, we urge anyone with information or details regarding this incident to provide them to us via our official email address.
Legal Conclusions:
- The landmine explosion that killed Wael and Leo is an example of how the conflict continues to threaten civilian lives.
- The continued presence of landmines in populated areas or near civilian activity, without their removal or warning to the population, constitutes a violation of positive protection obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly Article 10 of the Protocol to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) on mines, booby traps, and improvised explosive devices.
- The failure of controlling parties to provide minefield maps or place clear warning signs exposes civilians to death or injury and violates the duty to warn and inform under international humanitarian law.
- The inability to identify the party that planted the mine raises the issue of impunity, requiring an independent investigation and underscoring the need for comprehensive documentation of explosive remnants of war and contaminated sites to prevent recurring incidents.
- The continued presence of landmines in civilian areas constitutes a threat to the right to life and physical safety.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights recommends:
- Launch an immediate investigation into the incident to determine which party to the conflict planted the mines in the area and hold the responsible party legally accountable for negligence or deliberate action.
- Accelerate mine clearance operations, particularly in agricultural and pastoral areas near populated areas, in cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and the Syrian Civil Defense.
- Prepare and disseminate comprehensive and up-to-date maps of mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) at the local level, using clear warning signs in all suspected areas, especially those under the de facto control of armed forces.
- Implement comprehensive local awareness campaigns targeting residents of rural areas and camps, educating them about the dangers of mines and how to identify and avoid them, in cooperation with civil society organizations.
- Provide direct support to the families of victims through immediate financial compensation, psychosocial support, and inclusion in programs assisting victims of ERW.
