It has been four years since the Syrian regime fully recaptured Eastern Ghouta in the Damascus countryside. However, residents of the area still suffer from the hazardous waste left behind by years of war and besiegement.
Moreover, Ghouta residents face a tight security grip by regime forces that sees the forced drafting of youth into the army.
Local sources in Ghouta said a man and a child were killed, and another child was injured in the town of Hamouriya when a cluster bomb left over from the war exploded.
Two days earlier, another child was killed, and two other children were wounded in a similar blast while they were playing in Harasta.
The death and two injuries were reported by the city council on Friday.
According to previous World Health Organization (WHO) reports, more than eight million Syrians are at risk from mines and remnants of war, including three million Syrian children who are at risk of death or disfigurement.
Similar reports by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) indicate that the number of victims of mines and remnants of war in Syria has reached more than 12,000, 35% of whom were killed, and 65% were injured.
According to the ICRC, children make up 25% of the victims.
So far, the Syrian regime does not show any seriousness in removing the remnants of war from the areas over which it has regained control. Instead, it is working to strengthen its security grip over the areas and drive more recruitment into the army.
Media sources reported that security patrols had launched a house raid campaign in the town of Jisreen on Friday to capture those wanted for compulsory and reserve military service.
News website “Voice of the Capital” said that the patrols set up four temporary checkpoints in the town.
