Landmines everywhere: A stop on the road can be deadly in Syria

Walking in the countryside is dangerous

I am from Kobani, a city on the border with Turkey that was heavily bombed in 2014. I have five children. I used to work as a day laborer, but I am currently unemployed.

Our house was destroyed after being struck by a warplane, so we were displaced to Turkey. In 2019, we decided to return to Syria.

My accident happened on February 9, 2024. I had contacted my cousin to meet him and support him with a job he had at his place. Afterwards,we were in my car, driving around the area, but we got tired and decided to stop on the road to rest. I was stretching my legs on the side of the road, and the next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital. I do not remember anything of what happened in between.

I knew that some areas were contaminated with landmines and remnants of bombs, but I had no idea that this area was also contaminated.

The cost of medical care

Not everyone can afford medical care. After my surgery, I had to stay at Raqqa National Hospital for 22 days. The amputation surgery cost me $3,600. The doctors used to come to clean the wound, and each visit cost me $200.

My right leg was amputated, but I also have severe pain and injuries in my left leg. I had injuries and shrapnel in several parts of my body, even in my arms. The doctors considered amputating my left leg as well, but I am glad they did not.

I have been attending rehabilitation sessions for six months now. I have to pay for the taxi every time I go to the hospital for physical rehabilitation, which is expensive. Fortunately, my family in Germany sometimes helps support me financially. It is also exhausting because it's so far away — it takes 2.5 hours to get there from my home.

HI supported me with transportation costs, but could not cover everything.

My biggest challenge: movement

The accident changed my entire life. I am unemployed and I have five children, sometimes people help us financially, but every activity is exhausting now.

Nine months after my accident, I began to improve and was able to walk again with a prosthetic. I received physical rehabilitation and a prosthetic limb thanks to HI at Raqqa National Hospital. It has been incredibly helpful.

Without this support, life would be unbearable.