On Sunday, April 20, 2025, two children, identified respectively as two-year-old Mustaf Ali and 10-year-old Ayat Ali, were killed, and four others were injured to varying degrees by the explosion of a hand grenade left from the conflict in al-Sba’iya neighborhood in western Raqqa city. The area is under the control of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
According to information obtained from reliable local sources, the children — all from one displaced family originally from Suluk town in Raqqa governorate — found the grenade while collecting scrap metal near the al-Nahar Fuel Station. Their tampering with the device caused it to explode, resulting in these tragic human losses.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) notes that remnants of war continue to pose a severe threat to civilians, especially children who may unknowingly handle such dangerous objects. SNHR has previously issued several reports on cluster munitions and leftover weapons, warning of their long-term effects, which extend beyond killing to include permanent injuries and physical and psychological trauma.
SNHR calls on SDF and relevant international organizations to provide the necessary equipment and resources, and to support local teams, organizations, and specialized official entities involved in mine and war remnants removal, in order to mitigate risks and protect civilian lives.
