School Evacuated in Salma, Latakia, Due to War Remnants
Emergency and disaster management teams in Latakia Governorate evacuated a school in the town of Salma on Tuesday as an urgent precautionary measure. The decision followed reports of unexploded ordnance discovered in the school’s vicinity, prompting immediate action to safeguard students and educational staff.
Ali Qiqouni, director of the government communication department at the directorate, confirmed that specialized teams—including technical and non-technical survey units, awareness teams, and an ordnance disposal unit—were deployed to the site. Upon verifying the presence of unexploded munitions, the teams secured the perimeter by installing warning signs and markers to prevent civilians from entering the hazardous area.
In coordination with these efforts, the school was successfully evacuated, and students were safely dismissed to their homes. As part of a broader initiative to improve community safety, the field awareness team provided guidance to the students on how to act if they encounter suspicious objects related to war remnants. They emphasized the importance of staying clear of such items, avoiding tampering with them, and promptly reporting them to adults, who are then tasked with notifying the appropriate civil defense units.
Qiqouni confirmed that the disposal unit has commenced technical operations to address the identified munitions. The team intends to neutralize the items through controlled demolition on-site, after implementing all necessary measures to secure the surrounding area and protect nearby residents and infrastructure.
These operations are part of the ongoing efforts by civil defense teams in Syria to respond to reports concerning war remnants and unexploded ordnance left behind by previous years of conflict. The directorate conducts regular technical and non-technical surveys of areas as residents continue to return to their towns and villages. Consequently, identifying and neutralizing these hazards has become a top priority to protect civilian lives, particularly children, who remain the most vulnerable demographic. The teams continue to intensify their awareness programs and field visits to schools and residential neighborhoods to promote a culture of safe conduct regarding these ongoing risks.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
