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Libya's Hidden War: 63 Mine Victims in 2025, 21 Children Among Casualties

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya reported 63 casualties from explosive remnants of war in 2025, with 21 of the victims being children. The contamination stems from repeated armed conflicts and accidental explosions at ammunition depots in populated areas over the past two years. These hazards pose a severe and ongoing threat to civilians, especially displaced families attempting to return home. UNSMIL has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Libyan-led clearance efforts and called for stronger international coordination.

Key Points: Libya Mine Victims 2025: 63 Casualties, 21 Children - UNSMIL

  • 63 explosive ordnance victims in 2025
  • 21 children among the casualties
  • Contamination from clashes & depot explosions
  • Unsecured stockpiles risk returning families
  • UN calls for coordinated mine clearance support
2 min read

Libya records 63 mine victims in 2025, including 21 children: UNSMIL

UN reports 63 explosive ordnance victims in Libya in 2025, including 21 children, highlighting severe contamination from conflict and unsafe stockpiles.

"Risks remain even in areas where active conflict has subsided - UNSMIL statement"

Tripoli, April 5

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has said that 63 casualties from explosive remnants of war were recorded in 2025 alone, including 21 children.

Repeated armed conflicts and unsafe ammunition storage have left a widespread legacy of explosive ordnance contamination across Libya, affecting residential areas, roads and agricultural land, UNSMIL said in a statement on Saturday (local time).

Issued on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the statement stressed the importance of mine action in protecting civilians and supporting peace and stability in Libya, reports Xinhua news agency.

UNSMIL said large-scale armed clashes in Tripoli in May 2025, along with four accidental explosions at ammunition depots in populated areas over the past two years, have underscored the severity of explosive ordnance contamination in Libya.

Risks remain even in areas where active conflict has subsided, particularly due to unsecured weapons and stockpiles, posing an immediate danger to displaced families returning home, according to the statement.

UNSMIL reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Libyan-led efforts to enhance the security of weapons and ammunition stockpiles and to clear explosive ordnance contamination. The mission called on national authorities, international partners and civil society to strengthen coordinated and sustained support for mine clearance efforts.

Libya remains divided between the UN-recognised Government of National Unity in the west and a rival eastern administration headed by Osama Hammad and backed by Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army.

Militia clashes have become frequent in the African nation.

Earlier in March, armed clashes broke out in Zawiya, a city about 60 km west of Tripoli, leaving one person dead, a local daily reported.

Al-Bashti Al-Zahouf, a member of the city's Council of Elders and Notables, told Al-Mashhad newspaper that fighting erupted in the Dila-Qamouda area between two armed factions. And both groups are affiliated with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU).

The fighting underscores persistent tensions in Zawiya, where rival armed groups have repeatedly clashed despite calls from local leaders for calm.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
So tragic. Reading this makes me appreciate the peace we have in our country, despite our own challenges. We should never take stability for granted. My prayers for the families in Libya.
A
Arjun K
This is where the real cost of conflict is counted, not in political statements. Unsafe ammunition storage in populated areas is criminal negligence. The rival administrations need to prioritize civilian safety over their power struggle. Full support to UNSMIL's work.
S
Sarah B
The article mentions the fighting is between groups both affiliated with the GNU in the west. How can there be peace when even the "recognized" government can't control its own factions? The international recognition seems pointless if there's no unified command on the ground.
V
Vikram M
Imagine being a displaced family, finally thinking it's safe to return home, only to face this invisible threat. Mines and ERWs are a coward's weapon that keeps on killing. Hope the Council of Elders' calls for calm are heeded. 🙏
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Karthik V
A respectful criticism: While the UN's statement is important, reports like this often feel distant. We need more on-the-ground journalism showing the human stories behind these numbers—the survivors, the demining teams. That creates real pressure for action.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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