On Sunday, August 31, 2025, Samer Muhammad Salama was killed, while his brother Youssef and cousin Basil Haitham Salama were injured when a ERW exploded. They had found it at a former military checkpoint belonging to the Bashar al-Assad regime while they were grazing sheep near the village of al-Zuba, in the Tartous countryside. The area is under the control of the transitional government.
We are continuing our investigations, including reviewing and gathering more evidence and information. Therefore, we hope that anyone with information or details related to this incident will provide it to us via our official email address: [email protected]
Legal Conclusions:
- Weapon remnants continue to pose a grave threat to the lives of civilians, especially children, who may handle these objects without being aware of the dangers they pose. The Network has previously issued several reports on cluster munitions and weapons remnants, warning of their far-reaching effects, which include not only killing but also permanent injuries and physical and psychological disfigurement.
- The use of these types of weapons in populated areas by various parties to the conflict over the past years constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality, and entails legal responsibility.
- The continuing effects of these weapons after the conflict are an extension of previous violations, for which the parties that used them or left them uncleaned bear primary responsibility, whether in terms of causation or negligence.
- Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantees the right to life, which includes protecting the population from residual threats that endanger their lives even in times of peace.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights’ recommendations:
- Organize and coordinate efforts to remove remnants of war scattered throughout the country through a comprehensive national plan in partnership with specialized international organizations.
- Ensure victims’ rights to access compensation, treatment, and psychological care, especially for children and those permanently disabled as a result of these remnants.
- Identify contaminated areas and publish their maps publicly, and launch community awareness campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of explosive remnants of war.
- Cooperate with relevant international bodies, such as UNMAS and the ICRC, to develop technical and legislative standards for addressing remnants of war.
- Support Syrian post-conflict efforts through funding, training, and equipment, ensuring the effective and comprehensive removal of all remnants of war.
- Provide legal and technical support to document the use of prohibited weapons by the parties involved, contributing to accountability and justice.
- Provide sustainable and direct funding for mine and remnants of war clearance programs and to build permanent national technical capacities in this field.
- Support rehabilitation and long-term care programs for victims of these remnants of war, particularly in marginalized and most affected areas.
