The announcement was made during a workshop held with the participation of local and international actors, as part of a comprehensive strategy to address one of the biggest challenges hindering the reconstruction of the country.

The Minister of Emergencies and Disaster Management, Raed Al-Saleh, warned that large areas of Syrian territory remain contaminated by mines, including those of artisanal manufacture and others placed indiscriminately by warring sides during the war.

The problem is a serious barrier to the resumption of normal life and to recovery efforts in civilian and agricultural areas, he said, noting that the Syrian desert (Badia) is among the most dangerous areas due to the density of explosive devices.

Al-Saleh stressed that the new center will allow the unification of the supervision and planning of clearance operations, in coordination with national ministries and international agencies.

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