440 kilometers to safety… A comprehensive survey to remove mines and remnants of war on the Deir Ezzor -Palmyra-Damascus road

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The War Remnants Removal and Mine Action Teams at the Ministry of Emergencies and Disaster Management have begun carrying out field and technical surveys on both sides of the Damascus – Palmyra – Deir Ezzor road, with the aim of detecting and removing mines and unexploded remnants of war, in preparation for safely handing over the road to the General Corporation for Road Transport at the Ministry of Transport, to begin rehabilitation and expansion work.

The survey operations cover an extension of the road of about 440 kilometers, and are carried out by teams specialized in technical surveys and others concerned with removing remnants of war. They were formed from the Ministry’s cadres and directorates in a number of governorates, ensuring the provision of the necessary expertise to accomplish the mission in accordance with safety requirements and approved technical standards.

As part of organizing field work, the Ministry has developed an operational plan that ensures the teams’ readiness is maintained and their regular tasks continue to be carried out within their original work areas. This plan aims to achieve optimal use of human and technical resources, ensure a balance between the requirements of the new mission, and maintain response to risks in various areas.

This process is of particular importance as a fundamental step prior to road rehabilitation and expansion. Its objectives are not limited to removing sources of danger, but also extend to creating a safe environment for infrastructure projects and ensuring the protection of workers, citizens, and road users.

The Ministry of Emergencies and Disaster Management stressed that these efforts come within the framework of its responsibility to reduce the risks posed by mines and remnants of war to the lives of civilians, enhance public safety requirements, as well as support recovery and reconstruction projects and restore vital services.

Among the requirements for removing the effects of war and restoring movement on vital roads, surveying the Damascus – Palmyra – Deir Ezzor road constitutes an advanced step towards rehabilitating this axis, and opening the way for improving the status of transportation and communications, which contributes to supporting development and enhancing interconnection between areas.