News of mine sweep bittersweet
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolian News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 30, 2009 00:00
MARDİN, KİLİS, ŞANLIURFA - People crippled by landmines in Southeast Anatolia are experiencing a bitter joy at the news of the impending clearing. Victims of the minefields on the Syrian border have not only been smugglers, but also children.
The Nusaybin district of Mardin, the Akçakale and Ceylanpınar district centers of Şanlıurfa and many villages lie close to the Syrian border, which has sometimes meant injury or even death for children who run after their balls into the minefields. In springtime, children can become victims when collecting flowers. In addition to children and smugglers, the minefields have caused many tragedies for visitors to Syria.
Mines also cause death and injury in the area when floods move them into agricultural fields, where fires in the fields can make them explode. Dry weeds sometimes also combust in the summer heat and result in explosions, creating panic in nearby settlements.
Mehmet Demir, a resident of Allanyurt village in the Suruç district, spoke to the Anatolia news agency about his experiences as a former smuggler. Demir, who lost part of his right foot by stepping a mine in 1963 while going to Syria, said he is glad the minefields will be cleared.
Mehmet Atmaca, the headman of Çerçili village in the Kilis district, said that since his village lies on rugged terrain, floods move mines from their original locations. Another resident of Çerçili, Ahmet Çay, said he lost a leg when he entered a minefield while running after his cows. Hamza Demir lost his right foot in his own field to a mine that had been relocated by floods, while Mustafa Yıldırım lost a foot en route to visiting his relatives in Syria.
Ömer Ay was 13 in 1994 when he was playing with an object he thought to be a tin can. The mine exploded in his hand, taking off three fingers, blinding him in both eyes and leaving his face disfigured.
Mehmet Beşir Aslan, the Nusaybin branch president of the Orthopedically Disabled Society, said not enough precautions have been taken around the minefields.
Mines also cause death and injury in the area when floods move them into agricultural fields, where fires in the fields can make them explode. Dry weeds sometimes also combust in the summer heat and result in explosions, creating panic in nearby settlements.
Mehmet Demir, a resident of Allanyurt village in the Suruç district, spoke to the Anatolia news agency about his experiences as a former smuggler. Demir, who lost part of his right foot by stepping a mine in 1963 while going to Syria, said he is glad the minefields will be cleared.
Mehmet Atmaca, the headman of Çerçili village in the Kilis district, said that since his village lies on rugged terrain, floods move mines from their original locations. Another resident of Çerçili, Ahmet Çay, said he lost a leg when he entered a minefield while running after his cows. Hamza Demir lost his right foot in his own field to a mine that had been relocated by floods, while Mustafa Yıldırım lost a foot en route to visiting his relatives in Syria.
Ömer Ay was 13 in 1994 when he was playing with an object he thought to be a tin can. The mine exploded in his hand, taking off three fingers, blinding him in both eyes and leaving his face disfigured.
Mehmet Beşir Aslan, the Nusaybin branch president of the Orthopedically Disabled Society, said not enough precautions have been taken around the minefields.