Mine event in Ar-Raqqah Governorate, Ar-Raqqah area, Syrian Arab Republic on Sat 17th February 2018

HEADLINE: Syria: Landmines Kill, Injure Hundreds in Raqqa - More International Support Needed for Clearance SUMMARY: HRW article outlining IED use in the city of Raqqa and number of reported deaths. ARTICLE QUOTED SUMMARY: Homemade landmines have killed and injured hundreds of civilians, including more than 150 children, in Raqqa, Syria since the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) was pushed out of the city in October 2017, Human Rights Watch said today. ISIS had planted the antipersonnel mines when it controlled the city. They include devices often called booby traps or improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Most appeared to be victim-activated and therefore banned under international law. During a visit to the city in late January 2018, Human Rights Watch collected information from the Kurdish Red Crescent and international medical organizations working in the area. They found that between October 21, 2017 and January 20, 2018, mines injured at least 491 people, including 157 children, many of whom died. The actual number of victims is surely higher, as many people have died before reaching any medical assistance and those deaths were not necessarily reported.