Latest news with #TheHALOTrust
Herald Malaysia
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Ten years on: The HALO Trust and the future of Syria's Palmyra
Ten years after the fall of Palmyra to the so-called Islamic-State, and as Syrians return to their cities following the fall of the Assad regime, The HALO Trust is beginning to look at the Syrian City with the prospect of clearing it of unexploded military ordinance. May 22, 2025 Palmyra (The HALO Trust) By Francesca MerloTen years ago, the so-called Islamic State brutally occupied and destroyed most of the Syrian city of Palmyra. Now almost entirely deserted, the city of staggering historical significance carries the weight of the Syrian civil war in its rubble and in the desert that surrounds a bustling hub on the ancient Silk Road, this crossroads of civilisations suffered catastrophic damage. While its destruction, ironically, brought its beauty to light, and led those who had never known the city to miss it, it also left a lethal legacy. Now, landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) are an imminent threat to the lives of those who, on the horizon of a new political dawn, dare to O'Brien, Country Director for The HALO Trust's Syria operations, has just returned from the ancient city. As the world's largest landmine clearance charity, HALO's presence in Syria, especially following the fall of the Assad regime, is more precious than ever. Already operating in the northwest of the country, the prospect of bringing life back to what once was such a 'sophisticated and prosperous city' is a difficult task, but one that O'Brien is confident can be achieved. Palmyra today In an interview with Vatican News, O'Brien describes Palmyra today and the task ahead.'When I visited, I went up to a fort on a hilltop overlooking the main site and found Russian newspapers dated 2024, showing that there were foreign soldiers there very recently". O'Brien describes visible damage to the fort, but admits not being able to tell how much was caused to the rest of the site, having not visited it before the war. Parts of it, he says, still visibly stand tall. 'But what is noticeable', he adds, is "the destruction of the modern town of Palmyra", which had been developed alongside the historical site. "Its houses, hotels, villas have been destroyed by airstrikes, artillery shells, and small arms fire".As Palmyra has not yet been surveyed - meaning no formal, systematic assessment has been conducted to identify and map the locations of landmines, UXO, or other explosive remnants of war in the area - O'Brien warns that accidents are happening, and this is the first clear indication that there are devices there and that people returning are being affected by explains that part of the reason why the land has not yet been surveyed could be because the area is completely empty. But, in turn, the area being barren could also be due to the explosive contamination. The prospect of resettling As the centrepiece of Syria's heritage, in the past Palmyra provided many jobs, and 'like many places in Syria, it will need to be resettled and rebuilt, which will take a long time'.Having worked in numerous parts of the country, O'Brien is aware of the resettlement challenges in Palmyra, where, as in much of Syria, private property and infrastructure lie in ruins. 'It's a daunting challenge to come back to,' he says. Many Syrians have spent years abroad and may be hesitant to return without guarantees of stability, jobs, or basic services. Unlike Aleppo, where some areas remain livable, the modern town of Palmyra is still entirely uninhabitable - though, he adds, a few hardy traders remain. Desert mines But today, the challenge facing Palmyra is not only how to rebuild its physical structures but also how to remove the lethal remnants left in its in the desert, roughly halfway between Damascus and the Iraqi border, Palmyra is surrounded by vast, sparsely populated areas contaminated with landmines and improvised explosive devices. Unlike the northwest of the country, where frontlines were clearly drawn and mapped by the Syrian Army, central and eastern Syria present a more complex picture. 'Around Palmyra, control shifted between different armed groups', O'Brien explains. 'We haven't seen the maps for these areas, so surveying will be far more challenging'.In the absence of clear records, each patch of ground must be carefully assessed. Technically, he says, this is a different kind of de-mining to what is being done in the northwest. And while Palmyra has been relatively quiet in recent years, the risks remain - both above and below the surface. 'Not all explosive devices detonate as intended', he says. 'There could still be grenades, mortars, even air-dropped weapons hidden in homes and buildings.'Without the capacity to fully clear these hazards before people return, those who come back - whether to rebuild or simply to see what remains - risk encountering violence very similar to that from which they fled. Behind demining 'People have lost their lives, and some continue to risk handling explosives themselves out of desperation or lack of alternatives', O'Brien warns. 'Without proper training or equipment, this is a recipe for disaster'.He explains that handling unexploded ordnance is a task that demands expertise. 'There's a reason we use protective gear and follow strict procedures - without them, the likelihood of fatal accidents rises dramatically'.Surveying and clearance must meet international standards. 'If corners are cut', O'Brien stresses, 'an area might wrongly be declared safe, only for civilians to return and suffer the consequences. It's not just dangerous - in some cases, it's criminally negligent. And it damages public trust in everything we're trying to do'.Yet the urgency on the ground is mounting. Displacement, desperation, and hopes of recovery are driving families back into areas that remain dangerously contaminated. 'We're seeing huge numbers of people returning to areas we know are heavily mined', he says. Years of conflict, sanctions, and territorial fragmentation have left clearance operators with limited resources and reach. 'We're starting from a very low baseline of capacity - and the tragic truth is we simply can't get to every device before people do'.The accident rate right now, he warns, is "horrific". Empowering the local people The HALO Trust's approach focuses on empowering Syrians themselves to lead the clearing effort. 'We have trained local teams to internationally recognised standards, equipping them to safely detect and remove mines and explosives', O'Brien says. 'Currently, our operations are concentrated mainly in northwest Syria, but we aim to extend eastwards to Palmyra and beyond'.However, he is realistic about the difficulties. 'Rehabilitation requires substantial funding, resources, and security guarantees. Many displaced families have established lives elsewhere, hesitant to return until conditions stabilise'.Still, he adds, Syria is not short of human resources. 'There are many motivated, and technically capable people here', O'Brien says. 'We're confident we can train them. But that training - along with the surveying required before safe deployment - takes weeks, sometimes months'.To carry out that training and surveying responsibly, the support of local authorities is essential. 'The government in Damascus has been very supportive', he explains. 'They understand the importance of our work, and we have a strong relationship with authorities across Syria - which is absolutely critical'.HALO's vision for Syria is long-term and grounded in local ownership. 'There are jobs for Syrians in their own areas. Our plan is to mobilise teams quickly, across much of the country. That's the only way to make recovery sustainable.' Security risks and threats When asked about ongoing security threats - particularly the presence of ISIS and foreign forces - O'Brien gives a measured assessment. 'When I first arrived in Syria in December, the roadsides were littered with military debris: tanks, missiles, rocket batteries. Some of that has since been cleared but much still remains'.He emphasises that while the greatest danger to civilians remains mines and cluster munitions, unsecured heavy weapons also pose a long-term threat to stability. 'If these fall into the wrong hands, they can reignite conflict'.As for ISIS, he says, 'they haven't held territory in years". He notes that although there are still isolated cells, and some attacks have been linked to ISIS, most of them have been against Syrian army positions and "they're not targeting organisations like ours or civilians'.More broadly, Syria's post-war security picture is, in his words, 'remarkably good'. A fragile but enduring calm has allowed for reconciliation between factions, and even the beginnings of national military integration. 'Where the next threat may come from is hard to say', he adds. 'But for now, our operating environment is relatively stable'. Funding demining The recent lifting of US sanctions, announced while O'Brien was in Damascus, was met with an outpouring of public emotion. 'The streets filled with people waving flags. I've never seen anything like it', he recalls. 'It was a moment of real hope', even more so than when Assad's regime fell in December when people celebrated, but the uncertainty of what was to come the US supports HALO in many of its operations globally, it does support funding for Syria, so the lifting of sanctions does not directly affect the operation. However the easing of restrictions could open doors. 'It'll allow us to bring in equipment, transfer funds, and move staff more easily', he explains. 'More than that, it signals growing international recognition of Syria's future potential'. Syria belongs to Syrians That potential, continues O'Brien, lies most tangibly in its people.'Syrians want to rebuild. They don't want handouts or foreign experts forever. They want to do the work themselves - and they can. What we need now is investment and belief.'Despite the long road ahead, O'Brien's message is one of cautious optimism. 'This isn't 2011. Syrians have endured fifteen years of war. They're tired, but they're still standing. And that's what makes this moment different'. With the right support, he believes, Syria's minefields - like the wounds of war itself - could one day be buried for good.--Vatican News
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Ottawa landmine ban treaty must remain relevant – here's how
The decision by four states last month and another one this week to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, widely known as the Ottawa Treaty, is one of the most significant challenges to global arms control in decades. After decades of protection by America, Europeans are now planning for their own defence of the continent. I run The HALO Trust, the world's largest landmine clearance charity and an extraordinary British success story. But for the first 30 years of my career, I was a soldier. When I first joined the Army the defence of Europe against the Warsaw Pact was our primary purpose. Soldiers like me spent most of our lives perfecting our skills in defensive warfare. A key defensive tool of the time was the landmine. For anyone who hasn't dug a slit trench, unrolled razor wire and laid mines at two o' clock in the morning, in order to be ready for a dawn attack, it is probably hard to understand how seriously we took this training. The landmines of the 1980s were designed to slow up the Soviet advance and allow NATO forces the chance to counter-attack. It is one thing to use landmines in defence, but quite another to be on the receiving end. In Iraq, but even more so in Afghanistan, I took part in campaigns in which hundreds of British soldiers were killed and wounded by the homemade equivalent of the landmine, the IED. The former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, supported by an Air Vice Marshal and a lawyer, have called for the reintroduction of landmines into the UK's defensive armoury. Distinguished as these individuals are, none of them has had to deal with the consequences of an explosion that rips limbs from the human torso, killing the victim or leaving them severely disabled. Of course, all weapons can have this effect, but what distinguishes landmines from the rest is their dormancy. While most weapons are used in the moment, landmines lie in the ground long after the war has ended. Instead of harming their intended military victims, landmines will kill and maim civilians decades later. Not only do they kill and maim, they deny land to farmers, roads to travellers, food to the hungry, schools to children and hospitals to the sick. As someone who has been both a soldier and a humanitarian, I believe that Europe does need to defend itself. I therefore believe in rearmament as a means to protect our democracy and sovereignty. But I also believe in the rules based international system. The Ottawa landmine ban treaty is part of that system, but it must remain relevant to the issues of today. How? First, by retaining current signatories and encouraging new ones. While some states look to leave, others could benefit from joining. Syria, for instance – where over half the population is at risk from landmines and unexploded ordnance – would gain immensely from the Treaty's expertise and capacity to mobilise international funding for clearance. To keep countries in the convention, it must be framed as being in their national interest. From Afghanistan to Angola, mine clearance plays a vital role in food security, public safety, restoring infrastructure, and enabling refugees to return home. The second track involves a serious conversation about modernising military technology. Western nations looking to rearm have a choice between resorting to producing cheap, indiscriminate mines or, alternatively, investing in the development of new smarter munitions as part of a modern industrial defence strategy. These could provide improved protections to prevent long-term humanitarian harm. Finally, we need to realise that not all non-signatories to the Ottawa Treaty are the same. A sensible approach must allow Finland, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to uphold the Treaty's principles while still ensuring their national security. International norms can, in some cases, be as powerful as international law. The United States, for example, has never signed the Ottawa Treaty but historically has been the largest financial supporter of efforts to eliminate landmines worldwide. I believe that the UK should not only remain steadfast in its support to the Ottawa Treaty today but should champion it being as a key part of the human security architecture of tomorrow. Major General James Cowan is CEO of The HALO Trust Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The Ottawa landmine ban treaty must remain relevant – here's how
The decision by four states last month and another one this week to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, widely known as the Ottawa Treaty, is one of the most significant challenges to global arms control in decades. After decades of protection by America, Europeans are now planning for their own defence of the continent. I run The HALO Trust, the world's largest landmine clearance charity and an extraordinary British success story. But for the first 30 years of my career, I was a soldier. When I first joined the Army the defence of Europe against the Warsaw Pact was our primary purpose. Soldiers like me spent most of our lives perfecting our skills in defensive warfare. A key defensive tool of the time was the landmine. For anyone who hasn't dug a slit trench, unrolled razor wire and laid mines at two o' clock in the morning, in order to be ready for a dawn attack, it is probably hard to understand how seriously we took this training. The landmines of the 1980s were designed to slow up the Soviet advance and allow NATO forces the chance to counter-attack. It is one thing to use landmines in defence, but quite another to be on the receiving end. In Iraq, but even more so in Afghanistan, I took part in campaigns in which hundreds of British soldiers were killed and wounded by the homemade equivalent of the landmine, the IED. The former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, supported by an Air Vice Marshal and a lawyer, have called for the reintroduction of landmines into the UK's defensive armoury. Distinguished as these individuals are, none of them has had to deal with the consequences of an explosion that rips limbs from the human torso, killing the victim or leaving them severely disabled. Of course, all weapons can have this effect, but what distinguishes landmines from the rest is their dormancy. While most weapons are used in the moment, landmines lie in the ground long after the war has ended. Instead of harming their intended military victims, landmines will kill and maim civilians decades later. Not only do they kill and maim, they deny land to farmers, roads to travellers, food to the hungry, schools to children and hospitals to the sick. As someone who has been both a soldier and a humanitarian, I believe that Europe does need to defend itself. I therefore believe in rearmament as a means to protect our democracy and sovereignty. But I also believe in the rules based international system. The Ottawa landmine ban treaty is part of that system, but it must remain relevant to the issues of today. How? First, by retaining current signatories and encouraging new ones. While some states look to leave, others could benefit from joining. Syria, for instance – where over half the population is at risk from landmines and unexploded ordnance – would gain immensely from the Treaty's expertise and capacity to mobilise international funding for clearance. To keep countries in the convention, it must be framed as being in their national interest. From Afghanistan to Angola, mine clearance plays a vital role in food security, public safety, restoring infrastructure, and enabling refugees to return home. The second track involves a serious conversation about modernising military technology. Western nations looking to rearm have a choice between resorting to producing cheap, indiscriminate mines or, alternatively, investing in the development of new smarter munitions as part of a modern industrial defence strategy. These could provide improved protections to prevent long-term humanitarian harm. Finally, we need to realise that not all non-signatories to the Ottawa Treaty are the same. A sensible approach must allow Finland, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to uphold the Treaty's principles while still ensuring their national security. International norms can, in some cases, be as powerful as international law. The United States, for example, has never signed the Ottawa Treaty but historically has been the largest financial supporter of efforts to eliminate landmines worldwide. I believe that the UK should not only remain steadfast in its support to the Ottawa Treaty today but should champion it being as a key part of the human security architecture of tomorrow.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince Harry Reveals His Son, Archie, Asked to See Photos of 'Grandma Diana'
This year's Invictus Games are in full swing, complete with heartfelt speeches, intense competitions and even a Suits reference. In addition, I got a glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's body language, which spoke volumes about their rock-solid marriage. And more recently, I learned the Duke of Sussex opened up about his son, Archie. Per Hello! magazine, Prince Harry revealed that his 5-year-old son asked to see pics and videos of his late grandmother, Princess Diana. The father-son duo apparently started by talking about landmines, but the discussion eventually shifted to "Grandma Diana." The royal recalled, "Archie was asking about landmines, so I was talking about these then I found myself talking with him about mines at five years old, and interestingly it gave me a chance to talk about my mum, his grandma, which I didn't even really consider." Prince Harry continued, "So that became the outcome of the story for him. He then saw videos…he wanted to see photos of his grandma Diana doing her thing with landmines all those years ago. So it produced a very interesting conversation between me and him, different from what I thought it was going to be." For context, before her death, Princess Diana worked closely with The HALO Trust, a humanitarian organization that works to eliminate landmines from conflict zones. Prince Harry has been quite vocal about continuing his mother's legacy, and in September 2024, he mentioned that fatherhood has inspired his advocacy. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Reflecting on his trip to Angola in 2019, he revealed that he "walked in his mother's footsteps." He recalled, "Where she first walked in 1997, I found a bustling, vibrant town. And there are hundreds of schoolchildren who have no idea that the ground that they stood on was once riddled with landmines. It is moments like these that I'm personally grateful for our collected efforts." He added, "Much has changed in my life and the world since 2019 when I first visited. In those five years, I've become a father for the second time. And while you don't need children to have a stake in the future of our planet, I do know that my mother would have been horrified that anyone's children or grandchildren would live in a world still infested with mines." Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage According to Hello!, Prince Harry became a Patron of the HALO Trust in 2013, just three years after visiting minefields in Tete Province, Mozambique. Also, on International Mine Awareness Day in 2017, he pledged to help make the world landmine-free by 2025. Kudos to Prince Harry for continuing his mother's legacy. Want all the latest royal news sent right to your inbox? Click here. Meghan Markle Gave a Shoutout to Her 'Suits' Character While Attending the Invictus Games
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince Harry reveals son Prince Archie asks to see videos of 'Grandma Diana'
Prince Harry has revealed how his five-year-old son Prince Archie asks to see photos and video clips of his late grandmother, Princess Diana. The Duke of Sussex made the touching revelation during the 2025 Invictus Games which are currently taking place in Vancouver, Canada. During a candid chat amid the sporting action, the father-of-two revealed how he had recent conversations with Prince Archie on the topic of landmines, and how their chats ultimately led to discussions about "Grandma Diana". "Archie was asking about landmines, so I was talking about how some of these guys were blown up," Prince Harry said. "But then I found myself talking with him about mines at five years old, and interestingly it gave me a chance to talk about my mum, his grandma, which I didn't even really consider." Prince Harry discussing how Prince Archie's curiosity around amputees and landmines (PH works with the HALO Trust) led to them watching videos of Grandma Diana's work and discussing her life 🥹What a beautiful way foster their child's curiosity and carry on her legacy 🕊️ — Iris 🦆 (@IrisTheeScholar) February 10, 2025 Harry continued: "So that became the outcome of the story for him. He then saw videos… he wanted to see photos of his grandma Diana out doing her thing with landmines all those years ago. So it produced a very interesting conversation between me and him, different from what I thought it was going to be." Harry and William's mother Diana worked closely with The HALO Trust before her untimely death in 1997. The trust works to clear landmines and other explosive devices left behind by conflicts. She also famously walked through an active landmine in Huambo, Angola, in a bid for an international ban. Prince Harry went on to follow in his mother's footsteps and some 22 years later he returned to the same minefield to bring further awareness to the important cause. The Duke first spoke of the sweet term "Grandma Diana" back in 2022 during an interview with Today'sHoda Kotb. When asked whether he talks to Archie and Lilibet about his mother Princess Diana, Harry said: "I don't tell him [Archie] all the stuff that's happened, but certainly that this is Grandma Diana, and we've got a couple of photos up in the house." He also explained how he feels her presence constantly, saying: "It has been over the last two years more so than ever before. "It is almost as though she's done her bit with my brother and now she's very much like helping me. She got him set up and now she's helping me set up. That's what it feels like. He's got his kids, I've got my kids." He added: "She's watching over us."
