Damascus countryside, Oct. 11 (SANA) A mortar shell left over from the war was destroyed on Sunday at a busy transport junction between the city of Zamalka and the Al-Motahallik Al-Janubi Bypass in the Damascus countryside, in an operation coordinated with security authorities to protect civilians and motorists.
The bypass is a major arterial road in Damascus, making the location of the shell a particular challenge for clearance teams because of the heavy traffic and the proximity of main roads and intersections.
Hassan Talfah, director of the Unexploded Ordnance Center in Damascus and its countryside, told SANA that the operation required careful coordination because the area sees heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Traffic restrictions during disposal operation
Talfah said the operation involved coordination with road security units and the Internal Security Forces to regulate traffic and close entrances leading to the site.
The measures were intended to allow the shell to be destroyed safely and prevent casualties or damage to vehicles and nearby property, he said.
The incident highlights the risks posed by unexploded ordnance in populated areas and along busy transport routes, where remnants of war can threaten civilians long after fighting has ended.
Clearance operations and public awareness
Talfah stressed that removing unexploded munitions from populated and high-traffic areas was a priority because of the danger they pose to civilian lives and safety.
The Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management previously reported carrying out about 981 operations to remove munitions and other war remnants during the first half of 2026. It also conducted 369 technical and non-technical survey operations and held 631 community awareness sessions during the same period.
These activities form part of efforts to identify explosive hazards, remove them from areas used by civilians and raise public awareness of the risks.
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.