On Monday, May 5, 2025, 8-year-old child Ezzat Brimo was killed as a result of the explosion of a landmine in the area between the villages of Ehras and Harbal, while he was herding sheep. The child is from Ehras Village in the northern suburbs of Aleppo Governorate. The area is under the control of the Transitional Government.
The area saw many changes of control between the parties of the conflict, making the identification of the party responsible for planting the mine very complicated.
Legal Conclusions
- The explosion of the mine that led to the death of the child Ezzat Brimo while he was engaged in a civilian activity (herding sheep) is an example of the continued effects of the conflict that still threatens civilians’ lives.
- The continued presence of landmines in residential areas or areas near civilian activities, without warnings or removal of this mines is a violation of the positive protection under international humanitarian law, in particular Article 10 of the Amended Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices (CCW).
- The controlling forces failure to provide a map of the landmines or set up clear warning signs present a threat of death or injury to civilians and is considered a violation of the principle of the duty to warn and inform stipulated in international humanitarian law.
- The inability to identify the party that planted the mine raises the issue of evading responsibility, which requires an independent investigation and emphasizes the need for comprehensive documentation of war remnants and contamination sites to avoid recurring incidents.
- The continued presence of landmines in civilian areas is a threat to the right to life and physical well-being.
Recommendations by SNHR
- Launch of an urgent investigation into the incident, to determine which party to the conflict planted mines in the area and hold the responsible party legally responsible for negligence or deliberate action.
- Accelerating land clearance operations from mines, especially in agricultural and pastoral areas close to population centers, in cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Syrian Red Crescent, and the Syrian Civil Defense.
- Prepare comprehensive and updated maps of mines and remnants of war, and disseminate them at the local level, with clear warning signs in all suspicious areas, especially those under the effective control of forces on the ground.
- Implementing comprehensive local awareness campaigns targeting residents of rural areas and camps, on the dangers of mines and ways to identify and avoid them, in cooperation with civil society organizations.
- Providing direct support to the families of victims, through urgent financial compensation, providing psychological and social support, and including them in assistance programs for victims of war remnants.
