HAMA, SYRIA - APRIL 11, 2025: Mine clearance operations are underway in the northern Syrian city of Hama, led by the Syrian Defense Ministry with the support of specialized equipment provided by Türkiye. Specially trained units, including members of the 98th Armored Division, are working to clear areas heavily contaminated with mines planted by the ousted regime, officials said. Abdulqader Nayef, a member of the clearance team, told Anadolu Agency that efforts are ongoing in the Hamamiyat area. “Our goal is to make these areas completely safe so that people can return to their homes and villages in security,” he said. In some locations, teams are manually removing mines, while in others, Turkish-supplied vehicles are being used to destroy the buried explosives. Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on Jan. 29.