Second phase of mine clearance operations begins in Serêkaniyê and its countryside

Mine clearance and removal of war remnants operations continue in the areas and countryside of Serêkaniyê, Tel Tamr, and Zarghan, as part of efforts to secure roads, villages, and agricultural land ahead of the return of displaced people to their areas.

The Mine Action Centre in Hasakah provided ANHA agency with an overview of its work map and the latest updates regarding mine clearance and war-remnant removal operations in the region.

According to the centre, the removal of mines from secondary roads leading to the countryside of Serêkaniyê is expected to be completed soon.

The centre confirmed that mine clearance operations in the area have entered their second phase, with clearance operations beginning in villages and rural areas after the majority of the roads leading to them had been cleared.

The centre explained that mine clearance operations are currently targeting villages located along the line extending from Tel Tamr and Zarghan towards the city of Serêkaniyê, in addition to villages located along the M4 highway towards the southern countryside of the city.

In this context, the centre confirmed that: “The clearance of the main road connecting the cities of Derbesiyeh and Serêkaniyê, which passes through al-Asadiyah village and extends to the Turkish military base located in Bab al-Faraj village along the main road, has been completed. The clearance operations covered the road and both sides of it to a distance of 25 metres.”

The centre noted that mine clearance operations targeted the main road, while the risk of mines remains in the villages of al-Asadiyah and Mushairifa, where mine and war-remnant clearance operations have not yet begun.

Separately, the centre noted that mine clearance operations on the main road extending from Tel Tamr towards the city of Serêkaniyê have been delayed due to the presence of a minefield in the village of Umm al-Keif, which has hindered the progress of the teams working in the area.

Mine clearance teams continue to work on the road with the aim of securing it for civilian traffic, in preparation for completing the clearance operations and moving on to removing mines from the villages and residential areas located along the road.

These operations are part of efforts to reduce the risks posed by mines and war remnants and to secure roads and residential areas in preparation for the return of displaced residents of Serêkaniyê to their areas and homes.

The Mine Action Centre in Hasakah warned residents against returning to areas where clearance operations are still underway or using roads targeted for clearance. It called on them to follow the instructions of mine clearance teams to ensure their safety and avoid the dangers posed by war remnants.

Hundreds of displaced families from Serêkaniyê, who were displaced from their areas following the Turkish attacks in October 2019, managed to return to their villages in two batches. The return process was expected to continue, but logistical issues and developments in the area prevented this from happening.

Sh-S

ANHA