Syria, cluster bombs a serious threat to civilian lives

Cluster bombs left behind by foreign-backed terrorists continue to pose a serious threat to civilian life in Syria, a human rights group has warned. In a statement, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said cluster munitions were used in at least 496 attacks between July 2012 and January 2023.According to the NGO, at least 1,053 civilians were killed in these attacks, including 394 children and 219 women. SNHR said that a total of 382 civilians, including 124 children and 31 women, lost their lives in the munitions explosion, bringing the overall toll to 1,435 civilians, including 518 children and 250 women.

Cluster bombs are fired from the ground, air or sea and upon opening they release tens or hundreds of submunitions or bombs, which can saturate an area the size of several football fields. Many fail to detonate on initial impact, leaving behind dangerous debris that can kill and maim, such as landmines. Syria has been grappling with a brutal foreign-backed terrorist assault since March 2011. While the Daesh terrorist group has been defeated by the Syrian government, Takfiri terrorist groups continue to dominate parts of the country under the patronage of Western powers. Numerous reports have confirmed the US role in transferring Daesh terrorists to Syria and even airlifting supplies to the group.