Mine event in Deir ez-Zor, al-Bukamal area, Syrian Arab Republic on Sun 17th December 2023

Two children were killed on Sunday due to an explosion of a landmine believed to be remnants of war left by the Islamic State terrorist group in eastern Syria, according to the state news agency SANA.

The two children, aged 10 and 12, were siblings, the report said.

The landmine was discovered at an abandoned building in the al-Ensha'at district of al-Bukamal city, located in the southeastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province, Jubal Al-Sayir, head of the city council, said in a statement.

SANA said terrorist groups had been placing mines and explosive devices strategically among residential areas, roads, and agricultural lands before retreating from territories reclaimed by the Syrian army forces.

It noted that such tactic aims not only to inflict significant harm on returning civilians, but also to instill fear and obstruct their safe return to homes in liberated areas.